A review on foreign comedy drama theatre play, Return to Palestine (2017). It was performed at NAPA’s International Theatre Festival 2017.
+ Crew
- Directed by Micaela Miranda
+ Note
Return to Palestine is a Palestinian black comedy play, which was performed in English. At abroad, this play was originally performed in Arabic. It was devised together with the ensemble of graduated actors from The Freedom Theatre Acting School.
In a sarcastic, comic but also tragic style, the actors create the space, characters and even the emotional spaces they live in in a virtuoso play with their bodies in an a very small stage – “as small as Palestine”.
Return to Palestine gathers stories from Jenin, Fasayel, Dheisha Camp, Mufaqara and Gaza.
+ Full Cast
- Nabil Alraee
- Ihad Talahmeh
- Alaa Shehadah
- Ameer Abu Rob
- Motaz Malhees
- Raneen Odeh
- Shahd Samara
- Samer Abuantash
+ Plot
Jad, a Palestinian born in America, decides to go to Palestine for the first time in his life. Wanting to know more about his people and identity, he finds out that reality is very different from what you see in the news.
+ High Points
i – The play’s humor boosted the impact of the actors’ performances.
ii – The performances by the entire cast is splendidly executed. It kept everyone attention glued to the stage.
iii – The musical chores played via Arabic instruments helped the scenes’ shifting and lifted the play interest level.
iv – It shows that with even limited resources, how you can still present it thriving while having abundance of creativity. The creative way to show transportation, the journey in visiting different cities, the sound effects made by performers was very well put. The director’s creativity made me remind of the Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami.
v – The audience consisted mostly of Pakistani Muslims and already have a soft spot for Palestine and their play. Thus, the public were already warmly attached to it. The director did a fantastic job by taking this play through the shape of black comedy and ending it on a very emotional note. It touched the audience hearts in such a way that there was no doubt that they would end up by giving a standing ovation.
I could still remember the echoes of the audience applause. Truly well done!
+ Low Points
i – The story was very simple and basic.
ii – Since there were no set design, there were times where it was difficult to make out of their gestures.
+ Overall
Return to Palestine breathes new life into this kind of black comedy with inventive direction, influential performances, and an irresistible excess of heart.
Rate: 4.50 out of 5 stars
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