Drama dealing with CONFLICT
is an education for everyone

 

WHAT  a memorable evening:  The theme was the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel, particularly since the building of  'the wall', more than 9m high, fencing in the Palestinians.

Directed by David Harrold, who collected stories while in Palestine recently, the drama devolved from a series of improvisations by the cast - in other words, 'workshop theatre'.  As a result, the play had an immediacy and freshness which added hugely to the total impact.

The scene was an Israeli checkpoint, with a large notice saying 'Prepare Documents for Inspection'.  On one side were the occupied territories and on the other side the restricted area where the Palestinians lived.  In between was a roadway, patrolled by Israeli soldiers.  The play begins with Israeli soldiers, on edge, patrolling the checkpoint.  They are all young conscripts, with no choice about what they have to do and, for some, troubled by their consciences.  It was interesting how, although one's attention was naturally on the the plight of the Palestinian family trying to reach their mother through the checkpoint, the focus gradually changed to the soldiers and whether they would become "refuseniks", turning against the role they were forced to play.

The play lasted for an hour, after which there was an open forum for discussion with the audience.  I was very impressed by the moving performance these youngsters gave - they were mainly in the 12-14 age range.  One of the soldiers said the experience of being in this play had really changed him:: it certainly left the audience with plenty upon which to reflect.  As David Harrold said, through drama, we can open people's eyes to something.

Catherine Henderson
Hertfordshire Mercury