Penguin.
Touring - Jordan, France & UK
2024- 2025
Be proud. Be who you are. Be more Penguin.
A production by Hamzeh Al Hussien & Amy Golding.
2025 Tour Dates
Bright Generations Festival, Théâtre Massalia | Marseille | 25th-27th March
Tickets: https://tickets.assitejonline.org/en/events/506/penguin
Live Theatre | Newcastle | 9th-12th April
Tickets: https://www.live.org.uk/whats-on/penguin-0
Tron Theatre | Glasgow | 22nd-23rd May
Tickets: https://www.tron.co.uk/shows/penguin/
ARC | Stockton-on-Tees | 4th-5th June
Tickets: https://arconline.co.uk/whats-on/penguin
Lakeside Arts | Nottingham | 10th June
On Sale Soon
Belgrade Theatre | Coventry | 11th-12th June
Tickets: https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/penguin/
The Beacon | Bradford | 20th-21st June
On Sale Soon
Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse | Sheffield Theatres | 24th June
On Sale Soon
The Exchange 1856 | North Shields | 17th September
Tickets: https://www.theexchange1856.com/event-details-registration/penguin
Cambridge Junction | Cambridge | 7th-8th October
Tickets: https://www.junction.co.uk/events/penguin/
More dates to be announced soon
Here's what you need to know..
I am Hamzeh. My favourite shisha flavour is double apple. I love dancing.
Here's what's going to happen...
There will be loud music. A wedding. My first time on a plane. A lot of moonlight. This is the story of my life (so far). People have a lot of questions. The answer is,
"Yes.
I can do anything."
Full of humour and beauty, Hamzeh Al-Hussien’s extraordinary story takes you 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. Hamzeh invites the audience to be his childhood friends, to hold up the moon to light his way into his dreams, brushing the dust from his clothes...and taking the stage.
Creative Team
Performed and co-created by Hamzeh Al Hussien
Directed and co-created by Amy Golding
Dramaturg : Lindsay Rodden
Assistant Director/Translator : Olivia Furber /Yasmeen Ghawri
Sound design : Hamza Arnaout
Lighting and AV design : Simon Cole
Movement Director : Nadia Iftkhar
Set and costume design : Jida Akil
Costume Superviser : Lou Duffy
Stage Manager : Andrea Scrimshaw
Access
The show is captioned in both English and Arabic.
The set has 2 screens on stage - the English subtitles are on the left (as you look at the stage) the Arabic on the right.
Reviews and Feedback
The Stage **** "Uplifting tale of finding self-acceptance and joy" "Golding directs with a lightness of touch that never allows the piece to feel voyeuristic"
I Love Manchester **** "It is truly charming and an extremely wonderful reflection of a life touched and changed but not entirely uprooted by war.”
West End Best Friend **** "A joyous and uplifting story of hope in the face of adversity, and of celebrating the individual".
The Reviews Hub **** "A born storyteller, Hamzeh effortlessly performs..the show brilliantly directed by Amy Golding combines moments of delightful comedy.. alongside chilling and harrowing moments".
Theatre and Tonic **** "Hamzeh is a charismatic and engaging performer...The piece moved with pure ease on stage due to the capable direction of Amy Golding."
Disability Arts Online "an extraordinary tale, told with beautiful simplicity"
North East Theatre Guide "A wonderful piece of storytelling".
North East Bylines "Hamzeh in Arabic means lion, steadfast, strong – and so he is."
NARC Magazine "Hamzeh is charismatic and compelling, and his enduring sense of optimism is so present in the writing and in his performance"
Live Theatre Young Reviewer "a triumph for modern theatre... This show leaves you feeling immensely privileged for having seen it. It’s radical, it’s heart breaking, it’s Penguin."
You can see all reviews and press coverage of Penguin here
Awards
Hamzeh Al Hussien - North East Culture Awards 2023 , Best Newcomer for PENGUIN
