The reality of resistance was brought to the stage of the Theatre503 on the first floor of the Latchmere pub in south London last week in an evening that reflects the death and destruction and the drama and determination of the Palestinian Arabs in Gaza today. Bet’n Lev Theatre, the White Kite Collective and the PalArt Collective brought together an incredible line-up of brand-new short plays for a week of Palestinian theatre in a studio theatre known for promoting the work of independent writers.

Performed by an entirely Palestinian cast, Tomorrow Will Be a Palestinian Day takes us on a journey from Santa Claus holidaying in Gaza; through the struggle of undeliverable mail symbolically addressed to the houses at numbers ‘48, ‘67 and ‘23; via stories of beauty, loss, hope and dreams for the future.

Nine vignettes tell the story of the Palestinians from the tragedy of 1948 to the latest upsurge of resistance that began in 2023. All written and performed by Palestinians on a bleak stage that captures the essence of life in the Gaza Strip in these dark days.

This avant-guard theatre, just 64 seats above a Battersea pub just a stone’s throw from the Party Centre, has been around since 1982. It doesn’t receive a guaranteed annual statutory grant from the Arts Council England and relies on donations to help it provide a stage for new writers and creatives from around the world.

It certainly was a week to remember at Theatre503. Check it out on the web for future events!

by Carole Barclay