The Freedom Theatre Production (2020)
Inspired by: The Elephant, the King of All Times by Saadallah Wannous
Written by: Shatha Younis
Directed by: Ahmed Tobasi
Scenography: Anna Gisle
Puppet Maker: Lina Daoud Matanse
Design Implementation: Wafa Hassan and Sofia Jad, with support from Khalil Al-Batran
Costume Design: Adel Sakhleh
Music and Sound: Sami Al-Sadi
Theatre Technician: Ahmed Matahen
Multimedia and Photography: Mohammed Mouwia
Performed by: Ehab Abed, Jamal Jaas, Khalid Farj, Mahmoud Abu Aita, Mo’men Al-Sadi, Motasem Abu Hasan, Omar Silawi, Shada Yasin
Producer: Mustafa Sheta
About the Play
The Elephant is a street theatre production that reimagines Saadallah Wannous’s celebrated play The Elephant, the King of All Times through a contemporary Palestinian lens. Combining satire, movement, public performance, and visual spectacle, the production tells the story of a community living under the weight of fear, absurdity, and unchecked power, where a giant elephant becomes a symbol of oppression, silence, and collective hesitation.
Performed in public space, the show transforms streets, squares, and open civic areas into a theatrical encounter with audiences. Through humour, irony, and ensemble-based performance, The Elephant invites audiences to reflect on obedience, complicity, courage, and the fragile moment when people choose to speak out.
Origins and Development
Produced in 2020 by The Freedom Theatre School, The Elephant emerged as part of The Freedom Theatre’s ongoing investment in young artists and in theatre that engages directly with public life. The production was developed in Jenin and premiered as a street theatre performance in Jenin Governorate Park in October 2020, before continuing to Jenin Camp and later touring across the West Bank.
Created during a period shaped by pandemic restrictions and shrinking public cultural space, the production reflected The Freedom Theatre’s commitment to keeping performance alive, accessible, and rooted in the everyday lives of Palestinian communities.
Artistic Approach
A street theatre production designed for direct engagement with audiences in public space.
A visual and physical performance language shaped by satire, rhythm, ensemble movement, and symbolic imagery.
A contemporary Palestinian adaptation of a landmark Arab political text.
A collaborative production process led by artists, students, and graduates of The Freedom Theatre.
A mobile work adaptable to streets, public squares, festivals, municipalities, camps, and community spaces.
Performance History
Since its premiere in Jenin in October 2020, The Elephant has been performed across Palestine and the wider Arab region, including:
Jenin Governorate Park, Jenin — premiere performance, 26 October 2020
Youth Social Center, Jenin Camp
Church of the Nativity / Manger Square, Bethlehem — 21 November 2020
Beitunia Municipality, Beitunia — 22 November 2020
The Ottoman Courthouse, Ramallah — 22 November 2020
Nablus Performing Art and Circus School, Nablus — 22 November 2020
Beit Lid / Tulkarm — 30 November 2020
Youth Street Theater Festival, Baghdad, Iraq — 2022
20th Zarqa Summer Festival for Arab Theater, Jordan — 2022
Third Palestine National Theatre Festival, Palestine — 2022
Awards and Recognition
Best Theatre Performance — Third Palestine National Theatre Festival
Best Direction Prize — Ahmed Tobasi, Youth Street Theater Festival, Baghdad
Best Acting Prize — Motasem Abu Hasan, Youth Street Theater Festival, Baghdad
Special Jury Award for Best Theatre Team — 20th Zarqa Summer Festival for Arab Theater, Jordan
Themes
Power and fear
Silence and collective responsibility
Satire as a form of resistance
Public space as a site of performance and dialogue
Courage, community, and speaking truth to power
Target Audience
Young adults, general audiences, festivals, municipalities, schools, cultural centres, and community spaces.
Duration
Approx. 40 minutes.
