Brighton theatre doubles down on play inspired by poet who called Jews ‘evil’

A Brighton theatre has doubled down on a youth production of a play inspired by a Palestinian activist who described Jews as “evil” and defended the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel after prominent figures in the art world have come out to support it.

Arts leaders rallied behind the Brighton youth theatre group, which is set to open its production in Brighton Dome tomorrow. In an open letter, artists including writer Michael Rosen, playwright Caryl Churchill and actors Juliet Stevenson and Harriet Walter supported ThirdSpace children’s theatre’s controversial production Let it Be a Tale. The "Artists for Palestine" letter accused critics of attempting to “shut down conversation on crucial questions of justice, war and human rights”.

The youth theatre production of the new play sparked outrage among some members of the local Jewish community for its title – taken from the last line of the poem If I Must Die by Refaat Alareer, a well-known writer and academic.  

Alareer, who was killed in Gaza on 6 December 2023, said in a BBC interview that Hamas’s October 7 attack was "legitimate and moral".

On an X accounted linked to him in 2012, he allegedly posted: “Are most jews evil? of course they are. After hearing a now-debunked claim that an Israeli baby had been found dead in an oven on October 7, he posted on X: “With or without baking powder?”

Some pro-Palestine activists view Alareer as a hero, and posters bearing his quotes and face can be seen at rallies.

In an interview with the play’s director, Tanushka Marah, Let it Be a Tale was described as exploring themes of “resistance”

Marah, a former pro-Palestine independent candidate, was criticised for stoking division during the 2024 election when she campaigned against politicians who had expressed support for Israel. The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) accused Marah of “inflammatory and unfounded” comments about Labour MPs. “Such rhetoric only serves to deepen divisions within the community and does nothing to foster a constructive dialogue on the complex and nuanced issues at hand,” NJA said.

Marah’s production in Brighton is funded by Arts Council England, the UK government and Brighton & Hove City Council and will run for five performances from December 20 at Brighton Dome. On the theatre’s website it says the play weaves “folk stories from Ukraine, North and West Africa, the Middle East, and beyond” and is “for brave children aged 8 to 108”.

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) have reported the children’s theatre school to the regulator for Community Interest Companies (CIC regulator) for alleged breaches of regulations regarding the production.

“UKLFI argued that staging anti-Israel productions and encouraging children to perform anti-Israel pieces is not for the public benefit as it stirs up hatred against particular nationalities and races,” the lawyers wrote.

They argued that the club’s alleged anti-Israel content made one Jewish student feel so unwelcome that he was forced to leave. “The theatre had become an intimidating, hostile, and offensive environment for him,” UKLFI said.

Heidi Bachram, a local parent and campaigner against antisemitism, expressed her dismay at ThirdSpace and its production: “My husband’s cousin Tsachi was kidnapped from his home by Hamas and my local theatre is now glorifying someone who called that ‘legitimate and moral’. It’s deeply distressing and they are not taking this seriously enough.”

Bachram shared her concerns with Brighton’s Dome’s interim Chief Executive Officer, Maxine Hort, who promised to “reflect” on the matter in January but refused to cancel the performances.

Hort told Bachram that Brighton Dome will "enter into a period of reflection and listening and plan to convene sessions to meet with individuals, community groups, artists and other key stakeholders in January.”

Brighton Dome also hosted an International Women's Day event where colouring-in pages and posters of controversial Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi were available. Tamimi is famed for her arrest by Israeli forces in 2023 after she allegedly posted on social media, “You’ll say that what Hitler did to you was a joke, we’ll drink your blood and eat your skulls.”

A spokesperson for Brighton Dome said: “The performance title is taken from the last line of the poem If I Must Die by Refaat Alareer. We believe the poem does not endorse antisemitic or pro-conflict views and alludes to storytelling which is the starting point for the production. We do not believe the poem or the way it is used endorses any views held by the author.

“We acknowledge the hurt and pain that many in our communities are experiencing as a result of conflicts around the world.

“BDBF does not support antisemitic or racist views. We have robust policies in place so we can positively address antisemitism and racism and are committed to continuing to review and enhance these policies by listening to those with lived experience.

“In coming to our decision to continue with the planned performances we have consulted a variety of stakeholders in the community, including members of the local Jewish Community who hold a range of views, Brighton & Hove City Council, Arts Council England and Sussex Police. We have also spoken at length with ThirdSpace Theatre.

“Our priority is to ensure the safety of the young performers who have worked on the performance for months and to provide family audiences with a thought-provoking, and entertaining show.”

ThirdSpace dismissed UKLFI’s allegations, citing legal advice that the claims are “without merit.” In a statement, the company said: “That advice has confirmed that the Company has not breached any provision of the Equality Act 2010, and the allegations made against it by UKLFI are without merit. ThirdSpace Theatre will not be making any further comment on this matter.”

The JC approached Marah for comment.