What I liked
Two words: Myriam. Ali-Ahmad. There’s a lot to like about this show but so much of it sits on the shoulders of Myriam that I’d be remiss not to mention what a force that she was first. I know that versatility is the name of the game with one-person shows, but what made her performance extra impressive to me was that every single one of the characters that she played felt real. Even the more exaggerated characters felt like people that I could actually meet & interact with; which is also a credit to her writing and the direction of Mahmoud AboBaker and Becca Khalil.
The content & arcs of the show were stellar as well. I loved the way that they explored what felt like the totality of Palestine. The horrors & tragedy of the age old conflict with Isreal juxtaposed with the beauty & joy of the daily lives of the Palestinian people across time to an effecting degree. I also love the way that the assorted media was used to simultaneously add to the atmosphere and transition us from one moment to the next.
I also want to give major props to the stage managers & costume department for their part in aiding the immersion.
What I didn't like
The only thing that I could think of that could be improved is some of the sound quality and some of the pacing. There were moments where the background noise or music seemed to overpower the dialogue and the formatting of the show could be adjusted a bit to balance the highs & lows a bit better.
I almost mentioned the pillar in the middle of the stage but that’s no one’s fault.
My overall impression
Handala is a bold, heart-wrenching & full bodied piece of tragically timely art that beautifully renders Palestine in all its’ glory from the vantage point of its’ denizens and one of their oppressors.
