Returning to Haifa – New Theatre – Review by P McGovern

The intersection of the personal and the political often makes for interesting drama. Especially when handled with restraint, acknowledging the complexities of the issues and presenting credible characters, as in Angela Gissi’s adaptation for stage of Ghassan Kanafani’s novella Returning to Haifa directed by Anthony Fox and running until the end of this week at The New Theatre, East Essex St. Seamus Heaney spoke of his “tap root” being in “personal and racial memory” and questions like Kanafani’s “what is Homeland?” spring up readily in Brian Friel’s Translations and elsewhere in his work. Kanafani’s work is more overtly political but finds some resonance with the Irish historical experience in this moving and thought-provoking revival.

Lisa Krugel’s strikingly economical and effective design anticipates the heart of the drama from the outset: chairs and a table askew, clearly overturned in some kind of violent action, the cause of which is spelled out by a map of Palestine outlined in white chalk on a stark, black background. The production is well served too by Shane Fitmaurice’s Sound Design.

The layers of history that have shaped Palestine are all touched on, not just from the 1948 uprooting of the Palestinians but also skilfully placing Palestinian history in the context of what preceded “The Setback”, the awful history of what happened to the Jews in Europe in the preceding years. Michael Bates’s Said is outstanding, secure and focused in every detail of his performance. In an otherwise fine performance as his wife, Safiyya, Linda Teehan’s AA-Roadwatch vowels jolt us out of the suspended disbelief that we are in Haifa. This may seem a petty criticism but it is a not an insignificant irritation. Aneta Dina Keder is never less than convincing as Miriam, the Polish Jew who now occupies the house forcibly vacated by Said and Safiyya. Her portrayal is beautifully measured and controlled, neatly introducing another perspective and supplying the “terrible permanent but…” that arises in all such situations. Ciaran McCabe as the Jewish-reared soldier son of Palestinian parents from whom he was separated in The Setback embodies the complexity that characterises strife between close neighbours.

Don’t mention such complexities to the Iona Institute, just go along to Essex St for this thoroughly absorbing production which continues until this Saturday, March 7th.

Returning to Haifa by Ghassan Kanafani. Adapted by Angela Gissi

Mar 2nd – Mar 7th @ 7.30pm
Preview Mon 2nd (€10 on the door only) Opens Tues 3rd.
Tickets: €15 / €12 conc. (€10 groups of 10+)

Cast
Said – Michael Bates
Safiyya – Linda Teehan
Miriam – Anetadina Keder
Dov – Ciaran McCabe

Directed by Anthony Fox
Adapted by Angela Gissi
Production Coordinator Fatin al-Tamimi
Assistant Director Jesamine Humphrey
Stage Manager Cein Sookram
Lighting Design Cathy O’Carroll
Set Design Lisa Krugel
Costume Design Jessica Dunne
Sound design Shane Fitzmaurice