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Outstanding Palestinian theatre
SYLVIA HIKINS recommends a wordless production that conveys deeply moving images of occupation and settlement in Palestine
Iman Aoun and Edward Muallem in Oranges and Stones
[Courtesy of Ashtar theatre]
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Oranges & Stones
Unity Theatre, Liverpool
AS part of the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, Tamasha and Shubbak presented to a full house the bold and visionary Palestinian Ashtar Theatre’s production of Oranges & Stones, a play without words, told solely through physical action and original music.
On the stage floor, created from alternating oranges and stones, a large circle represents the abode where a Palestinian woman lives plus the produce from her land. She lives alone and appears happy.
Then, without warning, an older man emerges from the dark backdrop carrying a huge, almost empty suitcase, steps into her area of the circle. She is surprised, unsure. Seeing a jug of water, the man wants some. She obliges. He gulps it down, asks for more, continues guzzling her precious commodity, and tries to wrestle the jug from her.
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