The Ship’s Company Theatre has a 40-year history of producing contemporary theatre, of taking risks, and of engaging with current politics and realities in an artistic way. We are taking this opportunity to respond to the countless lives lost and altered in the ongoing suffering in the face of escalating violence in Palestine and Israel.

We condemn the killings of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the restriction of basic resources, and the ongoing Israeli military siege. We denounce the hostage-holding and attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas in southern Israel. The forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, coupled with threats of violence towards Muslim and Jewish communities worldwide, has reached a crisis point that requires urgent intervention.

The Ship has made Land Acknowledgements to address Canada’s history of genocide towards the Indigenous people of this land and to seek a path forward that allows for growth, reconciliation, and care. We feel it is disingenuous to make a Land Acknowledgment at this time without also responding to the land war in Gaza and the West Bank. With this in mind, we believe that our cultural space should continue to welcome difficult conversations, examine nuance, and field artistic bravery. We have chosen to present a selection of the Gaza monologues by ASHTAR Theatre.

What are the Gaza Monologues?

The Gaza Monologues are testimonies written by Gaza youth in 2010 and 2014, after two major wars on the Gaza Strip. The monologues were compiled and first performed by ASHTAR theatre in Palestine. Tragically, these Monologues are still relevant today. They are highlighting the horrors, hopes and resilience of the courageous Gazans to a wider audience, bringing out the voices of children and people in Gaza. Last year, ASHTAR theatre launched an urgent request to all its friends and theatre makers around the world to publicly read or perform The Gaza Monologues. In place of royalties, they have asked for proceeds from the event to go towards aid in Gaza.

On Thursday the 28th of November at 7pm we will gather with members of our community at the Gillespie House Inn and read these monologues aloud. The reading will be followed by a guided discussion about making theatre in global context and the role of art making during times of war and genocide. If you are interested in reading a monologue at this event, please email us at [email protected]. Please note that there are only a few spots available.

This is a deeply challenging and painful conversation topic, which has affected our local communities and fostered feelings of unsafety. We invite our beloved audience members to hold each other in safety and care, and to be courageously kind.

Please note: Prejudice, aggression, and threats of violence are not tolerated at Ship’s Company Theatre.