Hamzeh Al Hussien’s remarkable debut Penguin to begin its UK tour
We’re delighted to share that Hamzeh Al Hussien’s new play Penguin is premiering at Newcastle’s Live Theatre ahead of a national tour this autumn.
Full of humour and beauty, Hamzeh’s extraordinary story takes the audience on a personal tour of the places he knows best: his village in the Syrian mountains, the Za’atari camp in Jordan, Gateshead and inside his mind, a place full of music, dancing, fantasies and marbles.
We’re proud that D6 supported the development of Penguin with a studio residency, as part of our work with artists with lived experience of displacement in the North East of England. Hamzeh and the Curious Monkey Theatre team used the D6 space for script development (and some amazing storyboarding on the studio walls), script readings and all the work that goes into movement, lighting and sound, as well as some delicious communal meals.
Hamzeh is a disabled artist from Syria who arrived five years ago in Gateshead, as part of the UK’s Syrian Resettlement Programme. We first met Hamzeh when he joined Curious Monkey’s Arriving Project for people seeking sanctuary in 2018 and following this invited him to perform Penguin as a work in progress at our annual celebration to mark International Migrants Day in 2019.
He says, “As a disabled man, I want to show the audience what I can do and that I am able to achieve whatever I want despite my disability. I hope people come away thinking ‘don’t give up, just keep trying’. I love music, so there’s lots of dance and movement in the show. This is the story of a journey, my journey, and it’s all true.”
Hamzeh is a joyous performer who brings positivity, warmth and a lot of humour, and has countless stories to share of his incredible life. It is testament to his talent that audiences across the nation will be able to see his remarkable play. We have our tickets booked and urge you to do the same!
Tour Dates
Live Theatre, Newcastle, 20 - 23 September 2023.
Book tickets here
Omnibus Theatre, Clapham 30 September - 1 October
Book tickets here
HOME, Manchester, 10-12 October
Book tickets here
Leeds Playhouse, 20-21 October
Book tickets here
The Playhouse, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield 9-10 November
Book tickets here
Arts Centre, Washington 30 November
Book tickets here
Credits
Performed and co-created by HAMZEH AL HUSSIEN
Directed by AMY GOLDING
Assistant Director OLIVIA FURBER
Movement Director NADIA IFTKHAR
Dramaturg LINDSAY RODDEN
Set and costume design JIDA AKIL
Costume Supervisor LOU DUFFY
Sound design HAMZA ARNAOUT
Lighting and AV design SIMON COLE
Full of humour and beauty, Hamzeh’s extraordinary story takes the audience on a personal tour of the places he knows best: his village in the Syrian mountains, the Za’atari camp in Jordan, Gateshead and inside his mind, a place full of music, dancing, fantasies and marbles.
We’re proud that D6 supported the development of Penguin with a studio residency, as part of our work with artists with lived experience of displacement in the North East of England. Hamzeh and the Curious Monkey Theatre team used the D6 space for script development (and some amazing storyboarding on the studio walls), script readings and all the work that goes into movement, lighting and sound, as well as some delicious communal meals.
Hamzeh is a disabled artist from Syria who arrived five years ago in Gateshead, as part of the UK’s Syrian Resettlement Programme. We first met Hamzeh when he joined Curious Monkey’s Arriving Project for people seeking sanctuary in 2018 and following this invited him to perform Penguin as a work in progress at our annual celebration to mark International Migrants Day in 2019.
He says, “As a disabled man, I want to show the audience what I can do and that I am able to achieve whatever I want despite my disability. I hope people come away thinking ‘don’t give up, just keep trying’. I love music, so there’s lots of dance and movement in the show. This is the story of a journey, my journey, and it’s all true.”
Hamzeh is a joyous performer who brings positivity, warmth and a lot of humour, and has countless stories to share of his incredible life. It is testament to his talent that audiences across the nation will be able to see his remarkable play. We have our tickets booked and urge you to do the same!
Tour Dates
Live Theatre, Newcastle, 20 - 23 September 2023.
Book tickets here
Omnibus Theatre, Clapham 30 September - 1 October
Book tickets here
HOME, Manchester, 10-12 October
Book tickets here
Leeds Playhouse, 20-21 October
Book tickets here
The Playhouse, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield 9-10 November
Book tickets here
Arts Centre, Washington 30 November
Book tickets here
Credits
Performed and co-created by HAMZEH AL HUSSIEN
Directed by AMY GOLDING
Assistant Director OLIVIA FURBER
Movement Director NADIA IFTKHAR
Dramaturg LINDSAY RODDEN
Set and costume design JIDA AKIL
Costume Supervisor LOU DUFFY
Sound design HAMZA ARNAOUT
Lighting and AV design SIMON COLE