Review: The Freedom Theatre perform ‘The Siege’

Electronic Intifada, 2 June 2015

The setting for The Siege is the interior of the church itself, skilfully evoked with a specially-constructed set in which smoke, ornate hanging lamps, tiled floors and plainchant create an atmosphere redolent of this ancient place.
The backbone of the play is a series of scenes in the lives of a group of trapped fighters. Beginning with their chaotic, angry, frightened arrival in the church as they are driven back by a huge Israeli invasion, and ending with their anguished negotiations over whether to fight to the bitter end or to accept exile, we witness the group arguing, laughing, tending one another’s wounds, experiencing fear and suspicion.
Based on interviews with fighters who experienced the siege and were expelled to Gaza and Europe, these scenarios are by turns heartbreaking, thought-provoking and challenging to both actors and audience.

The full review is here.