Hathaleen: The Unexpected Journey to Palestine set for Camden Fringe premiere

'Hathaleen: The Unexpected Journey to Palestine' is a 90-minute multi-media satirical black comedy drama about a hopeless romantic who abruptly travels to the West Bank to impress his ex-girlfriend and try win her back. It is an incredibly funny, thought-provoking, poignant and emotional rollercoaster of a journey about learning to build compassion towards those you are taught to hate. It will be at the Arches Lane Theatre in Battersea at 7.15pm from Wednesday 12th to Friday 14th August.



The play is loosely based on writer/director Louis Linsey's personal experiences last year in the West Bank and the murder of Awdah Hathaleen in the village of Umm Al-Khair in Masafer Yatta. Awdah was an English teacher and activist, best known for helping to work on the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ which filmed in the neighbouring village. On 28th July 2025, Awdah was shot and murdered by the settler Yinon Levy who a year later remains free while the village is under constant attacks and demolitions by settlers and the IDF. Three of Louis' friends and many of Awdah's family were there when it happened. This play is Louis' promise to Awdah's brother Khaleel to continue spreading the word about what is happening there.

The project was developed through the Bread and Roses Theatre's writers' programme and had its preview show at The Source Arts Theatre before it will be taken to Camden Fringe for its world premiere. The story centres around the theme of finding compassion for those we are taught to hate and gaining acceptance for people whose lives are vastly different to our own. It satirises Western prejudices and ignorance towards Arab culture and mocks the online performativity of pro-Palestinian and Israeli supporters as well as the shallow emptiness behind influencer culture. The play pushes to challenge the lack of Muslim actors in British theatre and the representation of Islam on stage. Its story is rooted in the (at times, comedic) exploration of an ignorant white Westerner's discovery into Palestinian culture and Arabic traditions that differ so much from his own, and stars Palestinian and Lebanese actors whose families have been affected by the wars.

We are raising money to send via the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV) to support the community of Umm Al-Khair in Masafer Yatta in memory of Awdah Hathaleen as well as our actor Salsabil Al-Masri's family in Gaza.

Info & tickets here.

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