Rebels and Patriots

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.

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.

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.

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!

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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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.

I honestly can not recommend this enough, very thought-provoking and moving at the same time this was the highlight of my fringe

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.