A Knock on the Roof
Review by Sam
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Written & Performed by Khawla Ibraheem and developed & directed by Oliver Butler, this tense 80 minute monologue explores the life of a mother living in Gaza as she unnervingly reherses her evactuation drill.
In order to warn civillians of an incoming bomb, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) will drop non-explosive devises on homes, alerting residences of a 5 to 15 minute evacuation period. Whilst living in war-torn Gaza with her elderly mother and six-year-old son, Mariam undertakes a series of drill runs from their home, practising their escape route should they recieve a knock on their roof. Developed & directed by Oliver Butler the production encapsualtes the intensity of the narrative through a combination of beautiful lighting design by Oona Curley, haunting projection design by Hana S Kim and a highly skilled central perfromance.
Despite it's necessary serious approach to the subject matter, the show is unnervingly funny with Ibraheem asking the audience for input throughout. She jestfully retorts back with ease before engrossingly snapping back to her reality and the panic endured. It is highly focused performance which articulates an argument around obsession and what living in war torn conditions can do to a person.
First concieved in 2014, Ibraheem's monolgue deeply resonates today more than ever due to the ongoing conflict and high levels of media attention. However, I would argue that the core message of the play relates more to the lived experiences rather the war specifically. Due to unexplored thoughts and feelings of living within a war itself, it almost feels distanced from the bigger issues as Miriam's greater exploration is her obsessision with the knock on the roof itself. There is a case to be made that this is the exact point that the production is trying to make, however sadly it felt a little too detached from the ongoing cultural resonance it could have had.
Whilst at times Ibraheem's monologue may steer from its goal, the show is still deeply impactful as a piece of theatre with a heavy gut punch ending which will be sure to leave a lasting impact on audiences.