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The promise of revolution - Counter ideas

The Promise of Revolution is about love of life, art and freedom. It's a tribute to those who refuse to be silenced by the occupation's attempts to break down resistance through imprisonment, torture AND DRAP. This documentary theater piece by Zoe Delemere Lafferty and Ahmed Tobasi (Artists on the Frontline/The Freedom Theatre in Jenin, Palestine), premieres during Showbox in a version adapted for youth and The Cultural Rucksack.

The Promise of Revolution tells the story of The Freedom Theater in Jenin on the West Bank and includes testimonies from famous Palestinian artists. It is a powerful depiction of life under occupation, where censorship and injustice are central. At the same time, it is a story of courage, perseverance and the power of art as a tool of resistance.

After talk:

Somaya Elsousi is a Palestinian poet from Gaza, who has lived in Norway since 2019. She is a former writer in Horten, and has published four books of poetry in Arabic. Her fifth book of poetry was published in Swedish translation by Ellerstrøms in 2024.

The play is translated into Norwegian by Motforestillinger/Counter-act (Vibeke Harper and Marius Kolbenstvedt), and stars Marius Kolbenstvedt, Anna Dworak and Gisle Hass. The production is co-produced by Kloden Teater.

Language: Norwegian
Target group: From 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes + discussion. Total 75 minutes.
Venue: Kloden theater

Cast:

Translation: Vibeke Harper & Marius Kolbenstvedt
Lighting design: Kristian Belgau
Scenography/visual expression: Vibeke Harper
Mask maker: Kari Noreger
Actors on stage: Gisle Hass, Anna Dworak, Marius Kolbenstvedt
Afterword: Somaya Elsousi
Director: Marius Kolbenstvedt
Co-director: Rebekka Nilsson
Producer: Contradictions
Co-Producer: Kloden Theater

The artwork "Tatreez" (embroidery based on the Palestinian pattern tradition) by Vibeke Harper is part of the scenography.

The Revolution's Promise is a documentary theater project by Artists On The Frontline and The Freedom Theatre
Written by: Zoe Lafferty
Based on texts and interviews with: Ahmed Tobasi, Ali Abu Yaseen, Arna Mer Khamis, Dareen Tatour, Juliano Mer Khamis, Loai, Tafesh, Mariam Abukhaled, Mohammed Bakri, Suhail Khoury, Rania Elias, Yousef Swaitat and Zakaria Zubeidi
Affiliated artists: Alia Alrosan, Mustafa Sheta, Ahmed Tobasi and Zoe Lafferty
Dramaturgy by: Micaela Miranda

Translation and transcription by Alia Alrosan and Rachel Vogler

The performance premieres during this year's Showbox and is supported by Scenekunstbruket, FFUK and Fritt ord.