Floating Shed, an Israeli-Palestinian-British production company, brings their timely Rebels and Patriots to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s Pleasance Courtyard. Written by one of the play’s four performers, Nadav Burstein, this production examines the effects and consequences army life has on the mental health of those enlisted and those around them.
Rebels and Patriots delves into the differences between a Tel Aviv friendship group gathered for a Purim party—each with a differing stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. One is a peace protester and victim of police brutality, another a budding pilot for the Air Force seeking an end to the conflict. We also have an Arab-Israeli IDF member torn apart by the pressures of his role, and finally, an intelligence official seeking a way out.
Beginning with ferocious intensity, Rebels and Patriots sees the cast shout about global historical outrages, from the Belgian Congo to the British Empire, the meddling of the US in the Middle East, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Drums are hammered as the four-piece cast dart around the venue, belting out these injustices. Proceedings then move to sharing the stories of four Tel Aviv-based teens (actors Tarik Badwan, Harvey Schorah, Tom Dalrymple, and Nadav Burstein), delving into the very real human consequences that the conflict has on each of their respective stories.
There is a sense of confusion and panic powering through the four characters—each trying to find their space in the ongoing discourse. Burstein and the production’s cast do an impressive job of gradually unwinding the stories of each character, whilst crafting a convincing teenage friendship group—hard truths and thoughts emerging through the lens of drinking, smoking, and parties. There is a real sense of empathy coursing throughout Rebels and Patriots, with the audience likely to sympathise with each of the four teens—the tension between the friends and the challenges to their mental health manifesting throughout.
Tarik Badwan’s Osher willingly joined the IDF but has since been plagued by the pressures of the role—from the suicide of comrades to humiliation by superior officers. Forced into taking his father’s medication and spiralling with suicidal thoughts, Badwan’s intense performance captures the uncomfortable challenges facing individuals. Harvey Schorah’s character balances the harrowing stress of marching for peace whilst his friend actively polices the violent protests. Writer Nadav Burstein’s character Omri longs to escape the pressures of the role, bringing self-inflicted injury to gain respite from the emotional and physical drain of his position. Tom Dalrymple’s role explores whether defence and violence are necessary—and if so, should he play his part in delivering them? The range of stories captures a diverse mix of thoughts and perspectives regarding the conflict, adding further voices and realism to the narrative.
Rebels and Patriots is ferociously delivered with intensity, mixing natural dialogue between the friends with weightier lyrical monologues. The naturalistic approach in these quieter moments feels more grounded in realism, while the lyrical moments almost lift us from the heartfelt, empathetic relationships between the friends. Whilst it’s understandable that the writer would wish to give a sense of the context and history of oppression, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is perhaps too complex to delve into in small lyrical monologues. The emotive human story of four friends is far more effective at channelling the pressures of the conflict.
Rebels and Patriots is a powerful exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, focusing on the human impact through the lens of friendship and mental health. Despite its occasional shifts in tone, the play’s portrayal of these four teens offers a compelling and empathetic narrative that is likely to resonate deeply with the audience.
Tickets to Rebels and Patriots are available here.
Photo: @amielee22 / Floating Shed