Good Chance presents

A Grain of Sand حبّة رمل

By Elias Matar

Friday 18th July, 7.30pm
Unity Theatre, Liverpool

Commissioned by London Palestine Film Festival
Supported by Liverpool Arab Arts Festival
Adapted from A Million Kites: Testimonies and Poems from the Children of Gaza by Leila Boukarim and Asaf Luzon

Renad, a young Gazan girl, embarks on a dangerous journey. Carrying only the echoes of her grandmother’s tales and the spark of her own imagination, she searches for her family and the ‘Anqaa’ - the mythical Palestinian Phoenix.

A Grain of Sand is a one-woman show that takes an intimate look at war through the eyes of a child, blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza. Renad’s story is one of resilience, hope and the right of children to be children.

Trigger warning: This production includes themes of war, trauma and distress.

Suitable for ages 14+

A Grain of Sand at London Palestine Film Festival, photo by Lubaba Khaled @l3k.ldn

Creative Team

Playwright and Director: Elias Matar
Verbatim Source: A Million Kites, a collection of poems and testimonies from the children of Gaza, compiled by Leila Boukarim and Asaf Luzon
Performer: Sarah Agha
Dramaturgy: Joe Murphy and Joe Roberston
Composer and Sound Designer: Nick Powell

About Sarah Agha

Sarah Agha is an actress, presenter, film curator and writer. She co-hosted the award winning documentary series 'The Holy Land And Us' on BBC Two and she can also be seen playing series regular Betsy Temple in 'The Hardacres' on Channel 5. Other screen credits include 'Into The Badlands' and the BFI / Film 4 feature 'Layla'. Theatre credits include roles on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Polka Theatre, The Arcola and Shakespeare's Globe. Sarah also presented and produced The Arab Film Club's inaugural podcast series on Palestinian Cinema.

Theatre: Romeo and Juliet (The Globe Theatre), Nothing on Earth (Pursued by A Bear), King John (RSC Stratford), Museum in Baghdad (RSC Stratford), Bitterenders (Arcola Theatre), Wizard of Oz / King Arthur (Scoop Amphitheatre), Operation Magic Carpet (Polka Theatre), Deadly Dialogues (Edinburgh / New York).
Film: Layla (BFI / Film 4)
TV: The Hardacres (Channel 5), The Holy Land And Us (BBC), Into The Badlands (AMC), Rogue Heroes (BBC)
Radio: The Tomb (BBC 4), Love Is Not New In This Country (BBC 3), We Are Displaced (BBC 4).

For London Palestine Film Festival 2024 premiere:

Script Editor: Alexandra Kalisperas
Digital Artist: Jamal Masarwa

A Grain of Sand: Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, 18 July