Lines, Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse Review
Fidaa Zidan in Lines. Photo by Smart Banda. Written by Kirsty for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.
Whilst theatre is primarily an art form to entertain, when theatre is also able to educate it brings important stories to the masses. Lines is the perfect example of entertainment with a message and one that is vital for where we are today.
Written and performed by Ugandan born actor John Rwothomack, and Palestinian actor Fidaa Zidan, Lines brings five seemingly unconnected stories together in an unexpected and thought provoking way.
At the beginning of the play we learn that Uganda and Palestine have a shared history of colonialism, with the sobering fact that in both Uganda and Palestine it was the British Colonisers that were responsible for building the first modern prisons in both countries. Prisons and prisoners are at the centre of the piece of work, and we are told five different stories over five decades from key points in the history of both countries. The stories that Rwothomack and Zidan tell are heartbreaking and vitally important, and the stories are effortlessly written with the help Alexandra Aron and Junaid Sarieddeen.
All the vignettes were performed excellently however, the story of ‘Fidaa’ being imprisoned for being part of peaceful protests for the freedom of Palestine, felt especially relevant and a necessary story to be told. ‘John’ being subjected to torture simply for his family’s involvement in the Idi Amin regime in Uganda was also particularly sobering. At the end of the piece, I was left with the overwhelming feeling of how easy it is to be seen on the ‘wrong’ side and this could result in torture and even the threat of death.
Rwothomack and Zidan were so effective at bringing every ‘John’ and ‘Fidaa’ to life, and to share the stories of colonialism, post-colonialism, and outright occupation. I was left feeling a connection to all of the stories and the need to hear the stories of people fighting against colonialism and occupation is key especially with the global events that are happening at the moment.
John Rwothomack in Lines. Photo by Smart Banda.Kevin Jenkins' design for the space was stark and simple, allowing Tal Yarden’s video and projection design to become the third storyteller in the piece with immense and powerful effect. K.J’s lighting design, and Lee Affen’s sound design both worked so well in bringing what was at first glance a blank space to life.
Lines will be moving to La MaMa in New York from the end of April and I would say that if you can see this piece of theatre, please do because the more people who see it, the more the stories get shared.
Lines is undoubtedly an essential and important piece of theatre for the current world that we live in, and we need to hear these types of stories to remind us all that it could very easily become our story.
At Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse until 9 March.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
