Palestinian Theatre Now

Palestine has long had a rich and active theatre scene, working in the incredibly challenging and restrictive circumstances of the Israeli occupation, which has seen theatremakers silenced in numerous ways. In recent months, this violence has escalated and accelerated at an alarming rate, and in the UK, numerous events in support of Palestine and Palestinian arts have been cancelled, raising concerns around silencing, censorship, and free expression.

The Royal Court, English PEN and Shubbak are honoured to host a panel discussion with two theatremakers visiting from Palestine: Iman Aoun, co-founder of ASHTAR Theatre (Ramallah) and Marina Barham, General Director of Al Harah Theater (Beit Jala), alongside UK-based playwright and screenwriter Hannah Khalil, as they discuss the lived realities of making theatre in Palestine and in the UK and how theatre itself can be used as a medium for dialogue and resistance.

The discussion will be chaired by non-fiction writer and arts professional Amber Massie-Blomfield.

About Shubbak
Shubbak (meaning ‘window’ in Arabic) supports and celebrates the diversity of Arab artists’ creativity and innovation through its professional, participatory and engagement programmes, national touring and biennial multi-artform festival. Working nationally and internationally, we commission, initiate and develop projects that encourage a wide range of creative approaches in an artist-centred, audience focused process. Shubbak Festival is Europe’s largest biennial festival of contemporary Arab cultures, bringing new and unexpected voices alongside established artists to London every two years.

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English PEN is one of the world’s oldest human rights organisations and the founding centre of PEN International, a worldwide writers’ association with 130 centres in more than 90 countries. The charity works to promote literature and to defend freedom of expression in the UK and internationally.