Protest series 2025: new pieces released

Today, we’re releasing the new pieces in our Protest series.

It’s taken us some time to get these pieces out; thank you for your patience. We still believe in the relevance and urgency of sharing these pieces, some of which were made over a year ago, as part of broader conversations shedding light on and exploring injustices that persist in our world.

With global events unfolding every day we recognise our duty to provide a platform for our artists’ voices to be heard. Whether loud or quiet, angry or joyful, a call for collective action or a deeply personal reflection, we will continue to champion artists and their voices.

Today we’re also launching our open call for trans artists. This open call is part of our Protest programme, where artistic collaborations may take many forms. Click here to find out more.

We believe the connection between art and protest is vital. We believe the connection between statements and action is essential. Our Protest series is an ongoing strand of work – including quick-fire commissions, collaborations and events – designed to enable artists to respond to the world in a way that is dynamic and held with care.

Mahad Ya Araf

by Amerah Saleh

Amerah Saleh (she/her) is a spoken word artist born and bred in Birmingham, with Muslim Yemeni roots. She is a Board Member at Apples & Snakes, the UK’s leading Spoken Word Organisation, and released her first collection ‘I Am Not From Here’ in April 2018.

Please note, this piece contains themes of grief and uncertainty.

Transcript

Hold On

by Alaa Shehada

Alaa Shehada (he/him) is a Palestinian actor and comedian, whose play The Horse of Jenin premieres in our Studio in November. He graduated from the Freedom Theatre school in the Jenin refugee camp (West Bank). He is co-founder of the Palestine Comedy Club add core member of Troupe Courage in Amsterdam.

Please note, this piece contains discussion of war, occupation and violence.

Transcript

Displaced

by Charlie Toko

Charlie Toko (he/him) is a freelance director, performer and practitioner, whose work includes Shadows (Six Festival / Bunker Theatre) and the Replay project as part of the Young Vic Directors Programme 2017. He has worked as a performer and a practitioner with young people with Social Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in London schools.

Please note, this piece contains discussion of war, violence, displacement and grief.

Transcript

Barbra Streisand

by Naomi Westerman

Naomi Westerman is a Jewish playwright and anthropologist. Her plays have been widely staged across London and the UK, including the recent run of ‘Puppy’ at the King’s Head Theatre, and she recently won the Vault Origin Award with her critically acclaimed show ‘Batman’, a Royal Society of Literature Award, and a Michael Grandage Futures Bursary.

Please note, this piece contains discussion of racism, antisemitism, rape and genocide.

Transcript