The Winners of the 2021 International Lockdown Theatre Competition

This time last week, in a truly inspiring event, graced by the presence of over 140 students, teachers and competition judges from around the world, we announced the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place plays from this year's International Lockdown Theatre Competition.

1st Place

'Welcome to Earth' was performed live and remotely by Yara Mohammed Al Sabea (14), Rahaf Nadi Al Kafarna (15), Malak Zuheir Al Kafarna (14), from Beit Hanoun Prep A Girls School, Gaza city, Palestine and Magdalena Zrostliková (12), Julie Linderová (11) from Elementary school Dr.Edvarda Benese. It was directed by Rinan Jamal Al Muzanin (Palestine) and Jasmina Falge (Czechia).

Here’s what one of the judges said:-

“Welcome to Earth was the stand-out performance for me. The opening shot, use of makeup, movement, sound effects, objects, facial expression and clarity of delivery were outstanding.  Very creative use of camera throughout, and excellent use of gesture, facial expression and movement. I love the ’troupe’ aspect of this performance. This perhaps brings something new to lockdown theatre. They act with, and for each other as a kind of team. Great mime, sometimes clownish, improvisations in the interludes in the story. This feels really fresh, and to execute this across 5 screens really required thought, planning and rehearsal. Something rather joyous about it, a playful contrast to the theme of the story itself”

2nd Place

'I can smell her' was performed live and remotely by Hala Sabbah (14), Farah Abud Obaid (14) and Dana Kafina (14) from Asmaa Prep school (B) for Girls, Gaza city, Palestine and Tiziana Roa (11) and Sofia Aagaard (12) from Hamlet School of English, Argentina. It was directed by Haneen Jadalla (Palestine) and Tere Continanza (Argentina).

Here’s what one of the judges said:-

“This play was deeply moving and had me in tears.  It was great, to see how very simple use of darkness and light can be so powerful. I was touched by how simply one can depict absence of body, but presence of spirit through the virtual connection of the internet -just faces and hands and candles. And the addition of others, who have lost their father or mother as well, was a great narrative development of the original version. Loved it. Beautiful artistic framing on the screen, reminding us of how many children have lost their parents in war zones. 

3rd Place

'One World, Different Stories' was performed live and remotely by Naya Hani Abu Amsha, 11, Saja Shady Hassan ,11 from Beit Hanoun Coed (D) Elementary School, Gaza city, Palestine and Mirya Hayashi, 15, Hayat Fawaz, 15, and Yara Bsharat, 13 from Fürst-Johann-Moritz Gymnasium (Germany). It was directed by Hanaa Mansour (Palestine) and Cornelia Stein (Germany).

A comment from a judge

“Such a strong and clear message about the horrific dilemma faced by refugees in the world today. I loved the way the backgrounds of simple architectural lines worked with the imagined 'What a Wonderful World' music. And then the sudden strong frames of other countries refusing entry. Extremely simple but effective narrative, finishing with HOPE in different languages. Excellent”

Congratulations to all three winners and to everyone who took part. We’re already thinking about next year’s competition and about ways to involve even more people in this experience. If you’re an English teacher of 11-17 year olds anywhere in the world, and would like to get your students involved in a collaborative, intercultural remote theatre experience please come along to the serious of 4 free 1 hour workshops we’ll be running on all the Saturdays in March. They’ll be taking place at 5pm Palestine time starting on Saturday 5th March. Please email us at info@handsupproject.org to reserve your place.