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Walking To Jerusalem

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DUBLIN THEATRE FESTIVAL

Presented by Passion Pit Theatre, in association with Amos Trust, Hodder & Stoughton and The New Theatre, Dublin.

Blisters, hope and other facts on the ground

2017 marked three major anniversaries in the Palestinian struggle: the centenary of the Balfour Declaration, the fiftieth year of Israel’s military occupation of the Palestinian Territories, and the tenth year of the blockade of Gaza. To change the record after a century of injustice, a pilgrimage set out to walk from London to Jerusalem – in penance, solidarity, and hope. This was the inspiration of award-winning playwright, actor, and musician Justin Butcher (Scaramouche Jones, The Madness of George Dubya, The Devil’s Passion), who worked with human rights charity Amos Trust to mount the Just Walk to Jerusalem, June – November 2017.

Calling for equal rights for all in the Holy Land, more than one hundred walkers took part. Nine walked the whole way.

This is their story – walking journals and travellers’ tales on paths of pilgrimage and conquest, from monasteries and mountain passes to Bedouin camps and desert wadis across Europe and the Middle East — brought to life in a playful and inventive blend of theatre and stand-up directed by acclaimed theatre maker Matilda Reith (Daniel, Grounded, Remains of the Day), with a haunting and evocative soundscape by Jack C. Arnold (Wild Rose, War & Peace, Holy Flying Circus, Albatross) and video montage created from live footage along the route, by award-winning artist Damian Hale (Sigur Ros, Chemical Brothers, U2).

Along Roman roads and refugee routes, with occasional outbreaks of blisters, tear gas and desert spirituality, virtuoso storyteller Justin Butcher traces the perils, pratfalls and marvels of the path to Jerusalem. From the author of the world famous, multi-award winning Scaramouche Jones, which premiered at the 2001 Dublin Theatre Festival, starring the late great Pete Postlethwaite, an unmissable chronicle of serendipity: happenstances hilarious, infuriating and occasionally numinous – or, as pilgrims might say, encounters with the Divine.

Cast and Creatives

JUSTIN BUTCHER

Writer / Performer

MATILDA REITH

Director

JACK C. ARNOLD

Music & Sound Design

DAMIAN HALE

Video Design

Reviews

  • “So impressive… interweaving face-to-face experiences and political realities, displays the kind of unusual empathy essential in that tangled and tragic situation.”

    -- Brian Eno, Artist & Musician
  • “Incredibly moving and fascinating, a powerful pilgrim’s tale of love, humour and solidarity.”

    -- Rosalind Nashashibi, 2017 Turner Prize nominee
  • “A remarkable work of humanity and humility — a great achievement from an inspiring man, beautifully drawn, very moving and often very funny, recounting in vivid detail the history, landscapes and people encountered on the way. Utterly evocative.”

    -- John McCarthy CBE, Journalist & broadcaster
  • “Butcher relights the flames of hope in our age of hopelessness.”

    -- Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Columnist of the Year 2016, British Press Awards
  • “Justin Butcher leads us on a fascinating and thoughtful tour through history into the heart of the politics of contemporary Palestine.”

    -- Jeremy Hardy, Comedian

Booking Info

Preview Oct 1st. Opens Oct 2nd.

Dates:
1–4 Oct, 7.30pm
5 Oct, 3pm & 7.30pm
6 Oct, 4.30pm

Bookings through Dublin Theatre Festival

BOOK TICKETS

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Gallery

1. Actor Justin Butcher in pre production for JERUSALEM
2. Director MATILDA REITH in conversation with Justin.

Photographer – Patrick Clarke

Event Dates:
01/10/2019 - 06/10/2019
Author:
Justin Butcher
Category:
Theatre
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43 Essex Street East
Temple Bar
Dublin 2
D02 XH96
+353 (0)1 670 3361
MAIL Contact

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43 Essex Street East
Temple Bar
Dublin 2
D02 XH96
+353 (0)1 670 3361 MAIL Contact
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