Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#153): Sami Abu-Wardeh, PALESTINE: PEACE DE RESISTANCE

As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we delve into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect. Today, we’re joined by Sami Abu-Wardeh to find out more about Palestine: Peace de Resistance.

1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?

My show is an hour of jokes, storytelling and clowning based on the history of anticolonial resistance… but the most important part is the hand puppets. It's inspired by the dead-eyed evil of Keir Starmer, the vacuum in David Lammy's skull, and the daily struggle of Yvette Cooper's stylist trying to make her look like one of us (human).

2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?

I think people need a show about what anticolonial resistance has actually looked like historically. Because we are seeing the very real consequences of turning a blind eye to genocidal neo-colonialism.

3. How would you describe your show in three words?

Bird, cocktail, romance

4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?

A refreshed desire to create a better future for all…

5. What's your top tip for surviving the Fringe?

Keep going - you don't need rest and you definitely won't burn out.

6. Where and when can people see your show?

Pleasance Dome - Ace Dome at 9.45pm, from 30 July - 24 August (not 12, 21).