Script In Hand Theatre: The Gaza Monologues

About the show

Created by Ashtar Theatre during November 2024, in Ramallah, Palestine
Dramatised by Jenny & Paul Shryane of Script in Hand Theatre, Pltymouth, UK
Music by Samih Madhoun

In the dark times
Will there still be singing?
Yes, there will still be singing -
About the dark times.
         Bertolt Brecht 1939

The Gaza Monologues were initially created in 2010 by Ashtar Theatre - a not-for-profit organisation that was established in 1991 as the first theatre training company for young people in Palestine. The company?s aim was to give voice to young Gazans and to enable these voices, that both celebrate and mourn for their occupied and disappearing homeland, to travel around the world.

These original Gaza Monologues of 2010 were the personal stories of young Ashtar Theatre students from Gaza which were translated into 14 languages and performed simultaneously in October 2010 in more than 60 cities in 36 countries around the world. On 29 November 2010, the Gaza Monologues were performed in the UN headquarters in New York and ever since, have continued to be performed internationally to raise awareness about the suffering and resilience of these young people.

In 2024, new monologues were written by a cross-section of Palestinians, some still living in Gaza, others in exile abroad, that reflect the continued devastating effects of the occupation of Palestine and the war in Gaza and the urgent need for the world?s attention.
This performance, with Ashtar's permission, is an English translation of The 2024 Gaza Monologues.

Monologues Presented By -
Jackie Kleinot, Kai Kuiama, David Lyons, Jack Rees, Laurence Shelley, Jenny Shryane, Mary Toon & Kevin Treweeks
With thanks to Hayley Kemp for her support and help
Music: Samih Madhoun "Oud music from Gaza Vol 2" recorded live amidst the ruins of Gaza City in 2024.