Events
Social sciences events going on across the University of Glasgow and beyond.
Theatre performance: Oud Player on the Tel
Join us at Cottiers for a one-off performance of Oud Player on the Tel! This piece, written by Tom Block from the International Human Rights Arts Movement and directed by Jesica Garrou, aims to tell the story of how the founding of Israel on Palestinian land could have been a catalyst for peace, and instead became 75+ years of conflict into the war of today.
Social Sciences Hub
Date: Monday 12 May 2025
Time: 19:30 - 21:30
Venue: Cottiers Theatre, 93-95 Hyndland St, Glasgow G11 5PU
Category: Films and theatre, Academic events, Student events, Alumni events, Sanctuary
Join us at Cottiers for a one-off performance of Oud Player on the Tel! This piece, written by Tom Block from the International Human Rights Arts Movement and directed by Jesica Garrou, aims to tell the story of how the founding of Israel on Palestinian land could have been a catalyst for peace, and instead became 75+ years of conflict into the war of today. Although very sensitive to the Palestinian narrative, it also shows how the Jewish people were "hanging by a thread" at that time, and points out that the British and, to a lesser extent America, played a role in beginning this ongoing conflict. The piece aims to educate, as well as open new doorways of understanding in a situation desperately in need of it.
The work is presented by the International Human Rights Art Movement, whose foundational values are Beauty as a fundamental creative value; sincerity and vulnerability of presentation (no anger or finger pointing, which only stifles conversation); celebration of diversity and opening doorways of engagement between people who are in disagreement.
Oud Player on the Tel grows out of more than two decades of Tom Block’s work at the forefront of the Palestinian-Israeli peace movement. He published Shalom/Salaam: A Story of a Mystical Fraternity (exploring the Islamic mystical influence on Jewish spirituality) in the USA and Turkey in 2010. He published a Jewish-Sufi quest novel which grew out of this research, The Fool Returns. He was one of two invited Jewish thinkers at the only interfaith conference ever held by al-Azhar University, Cairo)Oud Player on the Tel grows out of more than two decades of Tom Block’s work at the forefront of the Palestinian-Israeli peace movement. He published Shalom/Salaam: A Story of a Mystical Fraternity (exploring the Islamic mystical influence on Jewish spirituality) in the USA and Turkey in 2010. He published a Jewish-Sufi quest novel which grew out of this research, The Fool Returns. He was one of two invited Jewish thinkers at the only interfaith conference ever held by al-Azhar University, Cairo).
This presentation of "Oud Player on the Tel" includes five of the original cast members, who premiered the piece in New York City in November 2024, as well as the original director, Jesica Garrou and two local actors.
The play is part of the Fringe Programme of events around the UNESCO RIELA Spring School: The Arts of Integrating.
Reviews
Can the tale of two families living in Palestine just before the partition that created the State of Israel shine a light on the current status of affairs? Playwright Tom Block’s Oud Player on the Tel does just that with a combination of wit and empathy." - Joel Benjamin, TheaterScene.net
"Oud Player on Tel is a story that needs to be told now more than ever. This original play seemingly uses humor and love to open the audience's hearts and souls. Each actor brings such humanity and vulnerability. Playwright Tom Block has a lot of courage to offer common ground in a world that feels extremely divided. These performances will continue to leave an impact long after watching." - Michael Druck, Casting Director, CSA
“The role of art, in my opinion, is to go into the most difficult situations, not turn away from them,” Block said of “Oud Player.” - Ambar Castillo, Religion News Service
Audience Reviews
"Oud Player on the Tel portrayed Palestinians very well and there was no stereotype/propaganda of Palestinians and Muslims which I’m grateful for. I loved the friendship between Amir and Melke. The music was beautiful! Every single one of the characters makes a place in your heart! Please go see this production while you can!"
"Breathtaking and devastating. Beautiful storytelling and incredible talent."
"I enjoyed this show tremendously. The acting was brilliant and the play left me in tears."
"A thought-provoking play that invited me to think about a complicated and challenging topic from multiple perspectives."
"This is a brilliantly written play which was enhanced by the direction and acting. It is an important narrative for all to see. I am moved by the story. This one will sit with me for a while."
"Great portrayals of the characters and discourse explaining the perspectives of the Arabs and Jews. Must watch and so timely!"
"The play is at the same time an intimate story of two families and a thought provoking study of the complexities of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Emotional and mind opening. I highly recommend this show."
"Kudos to Playwright Tom Block who opens a doorway to understanding both sides' perspectives and offering new ones in a situation in which most people feel sure in their too often one-sided perspectives. The play is set in the past BUT as Tom states in an interview, "We really need to keep having these conversations until even a frigid peace with a big fat line of demarcation, with UN peacekeepers along it, would be much, much better than what is currently happening there". This poignant, well-conceived, and well-executed play ends on Nov 24th.""Beautifully written, directed, acted and scored. Extremely engrossing, informative and heartfelt, as well as painful and humorous."