Sharif

Sharif شريف - is a staged reading of a gripping and deeply moving new drama about the precarious lives of LGBTQ+ Palestinians.

The play follows Sharif, a queer Palestinian man forced to flee the West Bank after being outed. Seeking safety in Israel – a place that represents both refuge and threat – he must navigate an unforgiving system while trying to hold onto his identity and truth. Inspired by real testimonies, the piece moves between memory and present-day storytelling to explore the themes of resilience and belonging.

Told through a series of interwoven flashbacks and present-day scenes, the play brings to life Sharif’s struggle for survival, his longing for love, and the quiet courage it takes to endure in the face of constant danger. Based on real testimonies, Sharif shines a rare light on the lives of LGBTQ+ Palestinians living under occupation. 

It’s a heartbreaking, urgent, and ultimately hopeful call for empathy, justice, and human dignity.

Written by Israeli playwright Tomer Aldubi who worked closely with Palestinian dramaturg to ensure authentic representation of the story and narrative.  Performed in English with Arabic and Hebrew interwoven, the play offers an intimate, human perspective on lives too often flattened by politics. 

This is a staged reading of the new play, ahead of its production in London later in the year.