Crossing Jerusalem
Tricycle Theatre, London

Alan Fentiman

Julia Pascal's Crossing Jerusalem opens with the deafening drone of a helicopter hanging over an angry Arab mob in Jerusalem. As Sharif (Daniel Ben-Zenou) sees his friend killed by Israeli troops, the audience too is plunged into the heart of Jerusalem, and the depths of the hate that divides its Arabic and Jewish populations.

The play follows an affluent Israeli family over a period of 24 hours. Suzanne Bertish plays Varda, an estate agent and mother of Gideon (Adam Levy) and Lee (Miranda Pleasance). Gideon's wife Yael (Galit Hershkovitz) is celebrating her birthday amid family squabbles fuelled by the interfering Varda. Varda's husband, the amusing Serguei (Constantine Gregory) suggests they eat at a restaurant in an Arabic area of the city.

Working in the restaurant is Sharif's older brother, Yusuf (Nabil Elouahabi), struggling to make money to look after his sick father. While serving the meal amid witty and well-crafted family banter Yusuf
recognises Varda as his father's old employer, who fired him for allegedly stealing some family jewels. Yusuf confronts Varda and makes an impassioned plea for a large sum of money in compensation for her treatment of his father.

Yusuf's brazen demand divides the family, leading to angry accusations and confrontations that reverberate and shape the play. Each character takes their own stance, and by grounding the divisive sentiments of the conflict in everyday lives, Pascal effectively portrays its true horrors. Yusuf tells of being prevented from attending his own wedding by Israeli soldiers, while Gideon recounts the death of his best friend as a result of a Palestinian bomb. There are no winners. Pascal offers a balanced view of the situation, and as the play descends towards a devastating conclusion, it brashly demonstrates why the killing continues.

Crossing Jerusalem is meticulously constructed by Pascal, though some sections of narrative feel slightly bloated as a result. But devastatingly effective performances by the cast (particularly Bertish and Elouahabi) and tight direction by Jack Gold ensure that the play sustains its momentum right through to its powerful finale. This production is a well-timed reminder of the inglorious gore of war. It left me numb, touched and terrified.

Till 12 April.

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