Hidden torturers

I AM writing about the review (16 August) of The Cry by Badac Theatre Company, which opens with the statement: "Badac's The Cry... is a show driven by fury against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, and the violent means used to maintain Israel's dominance there."

As the writer/director of the piece I must point out The Cry is not about or directly influenced by the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories nor violent means used to maintain Israel's dominance.

It is based on the experiences of Ghazi Hussein, who has not lived in Israel or its disputed territories. The identity of the torturers is deliberately left unstated at his request. No specific country is identified as his persecutor. He has been imprisoned in every country he has stayed in, so to highlight one would be unfair.

Our publicity states that Ghazi is a "Palestinian poet". He is a Palestinian and a poet; that's a factual statement, not a cryptic clue as to the identity of his torturers.

Rather than being "driven by fury against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, and the violent means used to maintain Israel's dominance there", The Cry aims to highlight the plight of artists around the world who, in attempting to communicate their beliefs, face torture and imprisonment on a daily basis.

Incidentally, Ghazi Hussein now lives happily in the more artistically understanding and liberal Edinburgh.

STEVE LAMBERT

Badac Theatre Company

Tollcross

Edinburgh