Rebels and Patriots
Theatre (drama, political)
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Venue 33Pleasance Courtyard - Upstairs
- 15:00
- Aug 26
- 1 hour
- Country: United Kingdom - England
- Group: Floating Shed
- Warnings and additional info: This show contains distressing or potentially triggering themes with references to suicide, war, occupation, drug abuse, alcohol, antisemitism, racism, scenes of violence and strong language.
- Accessibility: May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
- Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
- Policy applies to: Children under 2 years
Description
Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not an Arab eyes? Israeli-Palestinian co-creation following four friends and how mandatory conscription to the IDF affects them. One wants to get out, one's a pilot, one was never drafted, one's torn inside. A raw multilingual, physical portrayal that exposes the consequences army life has on the mental-health of the teenagers enlisted. It explores themes like protest against war, self-harm and what it means to be Israeli and peace-pursuing; the critical voice for coexistence under the pressures of politically motivated violence. Who's a rebel? Who's a patriot?Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].
General venue access
- Accessible entry: Queue in cobbled courtyard. Access to space via locked lift, please notify venue ahead of your visit if you require use of the lift and ask at Info Shed upon arrival for access.
- Stairs: 20+
Wheelchair access type: Building Lift
Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info
How and when to make an access booking
- Phone: +44 (0)131 226 0002
- Email: [email protected]
- Textphone: +44 (0)7860 018 299
- Find out more about access at the Fringe.
Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:
- Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
- Requires extra assistance when at a venue
- Has specific seating requirements
- Is a wheelchair user
- Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance
Robbie 10 days ago
Really rich script and well done. Tragic. Clever use of instruments. Affirmed quite how complex it all is, and really felt like a personal mission for them all.
Dr Anindita Sarkar 14 days ago
Rebels and Patriots is probably best thing I have seen all week so far. Produced by an Israel-Arab-British production team Floating Shed, the play proves to be a balanced and thought-provoking piece of theatre.
I am very much a product of my parents’ upbringing. I don’t understand how one group can abhor another and the problem with social media and discourse these days is that it is so binary - either or - rarely a systemic both and as my parents brought me up to think of hence I never feel I belong as I can’t see black or white on such complex issues that my brain can barely understand. I admire those who are able to pick a side and have such confidence to condemn the other so readily, actually I lie, I don’t.
So how refreshing to see four young men act in, one who started writing this play six years ago produce something so relevant, uncompromisingly uncomfortable about his IDF experience and those of his closest friends in mandatory army conscription. Each character represents a different viewpoint on the military and the war. One is an anti-war protester who has been brutalized by the police; another is a budding pilot trying to justify a future that promises morally reprehensible actions. While they are both interesting enough, the most compelling characters are the Arab-Israeli Osher, played by the engaging Tarik Badwan, whose conscription and participation in Israeli actions lead to significant turmoil, and writer Nadav Burstein’s own Omri, a young man whose developing consciousness increasingly clashes with the demands of his military service. They offer two versions of internal conflict, and how it can manifest, and bring depth to the play. These are four young friends whose decency and mental health are being put under incredible pressure by forces far out of their control. This play offered me a perspective on a complicated reality that we watch and read so much about. The play tells a story not about patriots, or about rebels, but really, about people who are neither. It’s about young men who want to live peacefully in an impossible violent reality.
Imogen 16 days ago
We made a last minute decision to watch this and were so glad we did. It was clearly made and performed with passion and heart, which was very moving. Loved the movement sections and the rawness. It would be good to see ideas in it explored further, and performers were occasionally too quiet (the audience was completely packed so this absorbed the sound!) but would highly recommend this show and would like to see more from this company.
Kerstin Jorna 20 days ago
I would highly recommend this show to anyone interested in the Israel-Palestine conflict but also peace-war questions in general. Sadly, there are no easy answers. This show explores four options for young men conscripted to the IDF (just consider: 3 years national service - what would you do?). Impact on the mental health of the young men is explored well and there are plenty of light moments and natural banter between the friends in between to make the characters three dimensional and likable. The show is fast paced with brilliant use of props - go and see it - and engage in these questions!
Mak Po 21 days ago
One of the best theatre shows we’ve seen at the Fringe. Beautifully written and performed. Would absolutely recommend you take the time out to watch. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pawel Danielewicz 28 days ago
After viewing 27 shows at the '24 Fringe, this has been the second-best show ex-aequo with another. The play is about the life of soldiers serving a mandatory three years in the Israeli army. That life is desperate. The play's title ties to the observation that who you refer to as a patriot or rebel depends on which side you are on. The cast includes the Israeli author of the play and Palestinian and UK actors. The author started to write the play 6 years ago, but its relevance does not seem to depend on time.
Harry Clark 29 days ago
I honestly can not recommend this enough, very thought-provoking and moving at the same time this was the highlight of my fringe
Ben Davies 33 days ago
An incredibly moving and thoughtful play that really gives some perspective to a real world situation that is not completely one-sided, nor is it uncritically of all the perspectives. A piece of art you can tell all the actors and creatives cared about, to the point of some actors in tears by the end.
I cannot recommend the play enough, you will be touched by the story it tells.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
The Scotsman 17 days ago
Culture Fix 25 days ago
The Real Chrisparkle 27 days ago
British Theatre Guide 29 days ago
Bouquets & Brickbats 30 days ago
Broadway Baby 31 days ago
Theatre Weekly 31 days ago
ThreeWeeks 32 days ago
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.