Thrissur: A Palestinian-supporting Israeli theatre troupe was unable to perform at the International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFoK) in Thrissur after the Indian Embassy in Israel denied visas to the group. As a result, the scheduled performances at the festival, slated for Tuesday morning and evening, were cancelled.

The visa denial affected the troupe staging The Last Play in Gaza, a production that reflects the present condition of Palestinian theatre. The play is a continuation and re-staging of The Emigrants, the final production performed at Gaza’s Theatre for Everybody before the venue was destroyed in bombing. The Last Play in Gaza is directed by noted Israeli documentary theatre director and film actor Einat Weizman.

Weizman’s works, which foreground Palestinian political themes, have previously faced censorship and opposition in Israel. In a Facebook post, she said that despite personally visiting the Indian Embassy and waiting for travel permission, she was not allowed to enter. The visa application had been submitted two months earlier, along with a detailed synopsis of the play.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, festival organisers said that if the troupe manages to arrive before the conclusion of ITFoK, the performance will be held using the tickets already booked; otherwise, ticket amounts will be refunded. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Secretary Karivelloor Murali said that political clearance for the troupe’s travel had even been obtained after approaching the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.