December 5-7
7pm, 4pm
In the Shadow of the Martyr
PalArt Collective
A doorman delves into fractured psyches and evolving brain lineages as he confronts his brother’s martyrdom.
By François Abou Salem and Paula Fünfeck.
In his final major creative work, the late artist and founder of Palestinian theater, François Abu Salem, tackled in the play "In the Shadow of the Martyr" the deep chasm between two generations and two distinct eras.
"In the Shadow of the Martyr" is the culmination of an extensive exploration into the minds of those who carry out martyrdom operations and the evolution of human brain lineages. On stage, Waseem Khair conducts a dialogue with himself and imaginary characters during a night shift as a doorman at a psychiatric hospital. That hospital, in fact, was meant to be where the doorman would work as a specialist in the evolution of brain lineages—had it not been for the martyrdom of his brother, who blew himself up on a bus in the city of Netanya inside the 1948-occupied territories.
The play will be performed in Arabic with English subtitles
ABOUT
About François and "In the Shadow of the Martyr"
On the topic of brain mechanisms, François Abu Salem drew inspiration for this work from the years he spent in France at the Institute of Experimental Sciences, where he studied brain neuroscience. He was influenced by his father, a doctor who still conducts research and works at the same institute. Motivated by new research conducted alongside scientist Jacques Fran—who is developing a new approach to psychology based on advances in neuroscience—Abu Salem wished to bring this perspective into a theatrical piece.
He explains that neuroscience is a vast field that opens the door to many dimensions, where no single truth is fixed. Faced with such fascinating science—and as a young man who came of age in the 1970s, a time deeply immersed in now-obsolete Maoist Marxist ideologies—he felt these ideologies were no longer relevant, even non-existent today. Through this science, he sought to delve into the core of humanity, to explore the essence of the brain region capable of generating
happiness and mutual understanding between people.
He said that we all possess this region, but it remains unconscious—it needs stimulation in order to help us manage ourselves better. It is, in his view, the universe’s only hope. It is the most aware and perceptive part of the brain, one that views the world with curiosity and flexibility, and helps us appreciate the subtle and relative differences between things.
About Waseem Khair:
A Palestinian actor, director, and writer, Waseem Khair has created and led numerous theatre and film projects. His work includes directing and producing productions such as Siege, Safartas, Tafsheh, The Slaughterhouse, and others. As an actor, he has performed in acclaimed plays including In the Shadow of the Martyr, Threads of Light, Everyman, Somewhere Else, Black and White, among many more.
His theatrical work focuses on how political conflicts affect the body and the psychological state of individuals, especially within the Palestinian experience.
In 2015, Khair founded Nahwand Film, a production company through which he directed and produced the short documentary 120 KM and the short narrative film Gaza Bride 17.
He is currently developing his debut feature film Minus 40 Khair’s work has been showcased in numerous national and international festivals, earning him several awards as both an actor and a director.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Estimated running time
65 minutes
Performance times
7pm, 4pm
Ticket prices
£25, £18
Concession
Full-time students, those aged under 16, senior citizens, the unwaged, members of Equity and BECTU
Access
Theatro Technis is fully wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome in the auditorium. There is a Loop system fitted in the main auditorium. If you have any questions or specific requests, please email boxoffice@theatrotechnis.com.
Age Suitability: 16+
Content warnings: Not suitable for children, content includes themes of death and mental illness