In the aftermath of 9/11, British-Egyptian actor Khalid Abdalla navigates the complexities of identity and belonging in his one-man play, 'An Arab in a Post-9/11 World'. The play, which premiered at Battersea Arts Centre in London in 2024 and is coming to Sydney in January, explores the personal and political, blending Abdalla's own life and family history with commentary on Western colonialism in the Arab world, 9/11, the 2011 Arab Spring protests in Egypt, and Israel's 'genocide livestreamed into our phones'.
Abdalla's portrayal of Dodi Fayed in the hit series 'The Crown' was a significant departure from the typical Arab character in Western film. Fayed, a playboy of legendary status, was brought to life with depth and significance, allowing the audience to mourn his death. This role gave Abdalla a unique platform to explore the complexities of Arab identity and the political moment in which his portrayal was presented.
In his play 'Nowhere', Abdalla uses a symbol - a dove - to represent the struggle for peace and the lack of safe belonging. The play's title is inspired by former British Prime Minister Theresa May's infamous statement on citizenship: 'If you believe you are a citizen of the world, you are a citizen of nowhere'.
Abdalla's performance in 'Nowhere' showcases his considerable talents as an Ecole Philippe Gaulier-trained performer, with roles spanning from London's National and Almeida theatres to films like 'The Kite Runner' and 'United 93'.
However, Abdalla's work has not been without controversy. In March, he was ordered to attend a British police interview over his participation in a Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest in January. He has also been briefed by Nasser Mashni, the president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, on the freedom of speech in Australia. Despite these challenges, Abdalla remains committed to his cause, and his play 'Nowhere' continues to evolve based on the latest developments in the Israel-Palestine situation.
'Nowhere' by Khalid Abdalla will be at the Roslyn Packer theatre from 13-17 January as part of Sydney festival. The play is a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and the political moment in which we live, and it promises to be a thought-provoking and emotional experience for audiences.
