Powerful new production looking at war through the eyes of a child comes to Leeds

One-woman show commissioned by London Palestine Film Festival based on testimonies and poems from children in Gaza comes to the Courtyard Theatre from 6-7 February.

Blending Palestinian folklore and real-life testimonies from children in Gaza, A Grain of Sand brings a story of resilience and hope to Leeds Playhouse in February.

Originally commissioned by London Palestine Film Festival, supported by Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, the play has been adapted from A Million Kites: Testimonies and Poems from the Children of Gaza by Leila Boukarim and Asaf Luzon.

It is presented by Good Chance (Kyoto, The Walk with Little Amal, The Jungle) and is written and directed by the company’s Deputy Artistic Director Elias Matar (Olive Jar, Shubbak Festival) and performed by Co-Deviser Sarah Agha (The Hardacres, Channel 5).

This powerful new production has dramaturgy from the Olivier nominated Co-Artistic Directors of Good Chance Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, whose production of Kyoto recently played at the Lincoln Center in New York following acclaimed runs at the Royal Shakespeare Company and Soho Place.

A Grain of Sand is a one-woman show that takes an intimate look at war through the eyes of a child, blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza.

Renad, a young Gazan girl, embarks on a dangerous journey. Carrying only the echoes of her grandmother’s tales and the spark of her own imagination, she searches for her family and the ‘Anqaa’ – the mythical Palestinian Phoenix. Renad’s story is one of resilience, hope and the right of children to be children.

The creative team includes Set and Costume Designer Natalie Pryce, Composer and Sound Designer Nick Powell, Video Designer Dan Light, Lighting Designer Jonathan Chan and Advisory Group Aalia Kassab, Atta Khaled, Menna Hijazi, Saleem Lubbad and Shaker Abuijlan.

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Good Chance presents