About the Play:

Territories is a full-length drama by Niki Landau. A Jewish-Canadian woman is in the process of performing a one-woman show about her experiences in Israel when a Palestinian man gets up on the stage and demands a part in her play. As the war of words over the narrative escalates, the stage becomes a metaphor for the conflict in the Middle East. Territories challenges the audience to ask questions – and to listen to the enemy.

Territories begins as a "personal" one-woman show in a Canadian theatre. Sara, a young Jewish-Canadian woman, is recounting her experiences with a peacemaking delegation in Israel. Suddenly Sara's "monologue" is interrupted by Hashim – a Palestinian man from the West Bank. Demanding that his side of the story be heard too, Hashim challenges Sara to defend her point of view. As the two trade stories – and prejudices – the stage becomes a microcosm of the Middle East conflict. Both Sara and Hashim feel entitled to stake claims on the land, both feel as if they're honouring their dead and fighting for a just cause. Faith and friendship, politics and personal history come into play as the two battle for control of the stage and the story. Engaging, intellectually stimulating, and often humorous, Territories is a deeply felt and fascinatingly reasoned look at the ongoing struggle in the Middle East.

Territories premiered in 2005 at Factory Theatre Studio Cafe during the SummerWorks Festival in Toronto, winning Best Production. It was subsequently remounted at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto, was widely acclaimed, named NOW Magazine's Best Play, and received a Dora Award nomination for Outstanding New Play.

Cast: 1 woman, 1 man

What people say:

"A debate that involves the mind and the heart…gripping… Honest." — NOW Magazine

"Territories is worthy of your time and attention." — The Toronto Star

About the Playwright:

Niki Landau in a Canadian actor, playwright and producer, She has worked in theatres across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. She is Co-Artistic Director of Theatre PANIK, a theatre company dedicated to giving voice to those who haven't been heard. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Concordia University, and an MFA in Acting from York University.