Don't hate the media, become the media. Jello Biafra
Tomer Aldubi
Sharif شريف
TNC | LONDON THEATRE INTERVIEW | 2026
Work-In-Progress | Staged Readings
JW3 | MAR, 23 | 19:00
King's Head Theatre | MAR, 31 | 21:00
SHARIF شريف
Writer: Tomer Aldubi
Translated by: Shir Freibach
Director: Niall Phillips
Image © Dirty Laundry Theatre / Yael Iluz
MAR, 10, 2026
Sharif شريف is a gripping and deeply moving new drama that follows the journey of a queer Palestinian young man who is forced to flee the West Bank after being violently outed. Alone and seeking asylum in Israel- a place that is both refuge and threat- Sharif must navigate a complex web of bureaucracy, suspicion, and social stigma, all while haunted by the memory of Nour, the secret lover he was forced to leave behind.
This is a work-in-progress staged reading and will be followed by a talk-back conversation.
Hi Tomer, thank you so much for taking this time to talk with us ahead of your UK Premiere. What does it mean to be able to bring Sharif to London?
London is the international capital of theatre, and bringing a show here is an achievement that I am very proud of. As London is a multicultural city, I am privileged to bring on stage the stories of the middle east and represent the local multicultural communities who are part of British society, such as the queer, Arab, and Jewish communities, as well as asylum seekers from different countries who all live in this country.
Any nerves ahead of bringing Sharif to JW3, are you looking forward to the post-show session that’s going to follow the performance?
The audience at JW3 will be mixed, although it is a well-known Jewish centre. I am already excited to hear the feedback from the audience, and I hope that the varied opinions will allow a respectful and impactful discussion. I'm also thankful to have the Dirty Laundry Theatre producing this piece.
You’re also going to have a run at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington, how important was it for you to bring Sharif to one of London’s most iconic LGBTQ theatre spaces?
I am grateful for the support of the King’s Head Theatre and its many years of commitment to the community. This theatre is a safe place for so many people who feel unrepresented or simply unsafe being who they truly are. I feel that their decision is brave and the right thing to do, theatre and creative wise.
With the social and political climate at this time did you have any apprehensions about bringing a show like Sharif to the London stage?
Yes, for sure. This has been difficult to write, produce, and direct since the day I interviewed the first Palestinian back in 2019. However, through my research as a journalist and playwright, my work volunteering for NGOs that support the queer Palestinian community, and my involvement in other NGOs that coordinate joint events and delegations for Palestinians and Israelis, I feel strongly that the play accurately represents the complicated lives of those in this community and their relationship with Israeli society.
While Sharif was produced in Israel in the years before the war started in October 2023, I wrote a new draft from scratch following the war in Gaza to make sure the play is much relevant and adapted to the current climate. There is no doubt that bringing this to London is daunting, and yet there is never a "perfect" time to discuss this topic. I believe it is the right thing to do, and I stand behind this work 100%. My strength comes from the support of the Palestinians I am in touch with who want their stories to be heard – while themselves must stay in the dark.
"The catalyst for writing the play was the legal status of those Palestinians at the time."
Can you tell me how Sharif came about, what was the inspiration behind your new play?
In 2019, while working as a journalist for one of the leading Israeli LGBTQ+ news websites, I decided to research the discreet and relatively unknown community of LGBTQ+ Palestinians. When I first published the article, which followed interviews with three gay Palestinians living in Tel Aviv, very few people in Israel and international knew about this unique situation of this community.
The catalyst for writing the play was the legal status of those Palestinians at the time. A few years prior to writing the play, they would have been deported by the police if caught in Israel. By 2019, they could obtain legal status to stay for temporary time, but they were still denied the right to work. I simply could not understand how the country I lived in expected this group of people - numbering a few dozen at the time - to survive without the legal right to work or access to health insurance. It was a situation that deeply troubled me.
A few years later, while the play was being staged at the Jaffa Arab-Hebrew Theatre in Tel Aviv, the Israeli Supreme Court changed the situation, allowing them to work legally in Israel.
When I wrote this play, my focus was not on changing the law or addressing how the queer community is treated within the Palestinian Authority, as I am not Palestinian myself. So, my primary goal was to open the eyes of Israeli society. I wanted to address racism within my own society and explore how we might change that. As I knew that this piece would never be shown in Palestine or in Arab cities in Israel, I hope to improve attitudes toward the queer community who was part of the Palestinian society living in Israel and its general attitude.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing Sharif?
The endless research that I felt obliged to do. As a Jewish Israeli, I understood that it was my privilege to speak about this topic, even though it is not exclusively my story. Therfore, I felt the need to become an expert on this topic. I read more than a thousand pages of articles, court transcripts, and testimonies. I also spoke with dozens of Palestinians and representatives of NGOs and the IDF, both before and after the war.
And then, I had to decide what to leave out. I had to figure out how to condense all the texts, stories, facts, and figures I had in mind into a 90-minute production that an audience could still enjoy and connect with. I always told myself that I would provide more detailed information on my website for anyone who wishes to read further about this community.
What is the message you wanted to share with Sharif, and do you think you've been able to achieve this?
I really hope people will come to watch the staged reading with an open heart and mind. Things are never as black and white as they seem, and there are many gaps that we can only bridge together. This production is a collaboration between British, Arab, and Jewish individuals from both queer and heterosexual backgrounds. We need more of that in London and everywhere. It is the only solution which will allow us to live together peacefully anywhere in the world.
Do you think the LGBTQ community in the West could do more to understand the situation the community is experiences in countries that continually criminalise sexuality?
LGBTQ+ rights, much like the rights of women or other minorities, tend to fluctuate based on the government, its effect on the local society, and vice versa. As we all know, even within Europe, some countries do not offer the same rights as others. However, the situation in many Middle Eastern countries is significantly more violent and life-threatening.
I believe that those of us who have the ability to help should always find ways to do so when needed. And yet, the best way to help is by becoming informed and understanding the specific needs of the other community—by truly listening to their needs and offering only relevant advice and assistance.
Where did your passion for theatre come from, and was there one piece of theatre you say growing up that had a lasting impression?
I have been writing for as long as I can remember. For me, theatre offers the most direct connection with people. I imagine theatre as a place for everyone, especially for those we rarely see in our daily lives, such as people experiencing homelessness or those with disabilities.
Through theatre, I have the freedom to say anything. Many of my opinions and thoughts would not receive the same value, awareness, or attention on social media or in a daily conversation. Sometimes I am even afraid to share these thoughts with my friends or colleagues, but in the theatre, I can do whatever I want. It isn’t real, and yet at the same time, it is very real. I believe that political theatre is a sign of a healthy democracy, and I wish Israel and other countries had more artists who criticise the injustices committed by the government or members of society.
What has been the best piece of advice you’ve got as you started your own journey in theatre?
The best piece of advice I received from one of my lectures in university. He told me that if I wanted to direct a show, I should just do it and invite people to watch. I listened to him, and even though it took a few years, my first play was eventually accepted by one of the largest theatres.
Paying it forward what advice would you offer fellow playwright?
Find a way to make it happen yourself. Do not wait for others to offer you jobs or opportunities because for many of us, both beginners and those more experienced, that call does not always come. I also suggest sharing your text with people you trust, not just those from the theatre world. Acknowledge and accept the opinions of your friends or family who can help you to write a better play. Once you feel it is ready, put it out there in any way possible, whether through a scratch night, stage reading, or a full production. And always believe in your story.
And finally, what would you hope your audiences will take away from Sharif?
The next time you walk down the street or take the Tube and see someone who looks different from you, do not judge them. Avoid making assumptions before you have the chance to hear their story. We all have stories. Some of us have had more luck and some less, but that does not make us any less human, nor does it mean anyone is less deserving of being treated equally and respectfully than others.