On Saturday 27th September, Pentabus Theatre brought together groups of Palestinian and Shropshire teenagers for a unique creative workshop exploring what it means to be a teenager today. The event, facilitated by the Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association (CADFA), fostered a powerful exchange of ideas and experiences across borders.
Palestinian teenagers met with members of the recently established Pentabus Youth Theatre to collaborate and create together. The workshop, led by Pentabus’ Head of Engagement Joanna Freeman, culminated in a live performance showcasing the participants’ shared stories and creative expressions.
Abdulwahab Sabbah, CADFA Coordinator, reflected on the impact of the visit:
“Our teenagers were overwhelmed by the experience of riding a busy UK bus and seeing people from diverse backgrounds—wearing hijabs, kippahs, jooras, tattoos—all expressing themselves freely and without judgement. They found this unbelievably inspiring and aspirational.”
The day’s activities included a clay-making workshop with local artist Hamish Dolphin at Gather, and refreshments provided by Ludlow Quakers. The workshop offered a rare space for Palestinian participants to voice their hopes and challenges. One participant said, “All we want is to be able to move freely and live a life without oppression,” while another shared, “We never get this chance, to say what we think and feel.”
Nandita Dowson, Director of CADFA, commented:
“CADFA exists to promote awareness of the human rights situation in Palestine. It was a joy collaborating with Pentabus to unite young voices from Shropshire and Palestine. Watching them share stories, build trust, and create theatre together was a powerful reminder of how art transcends borders and builds bridges.”
This workshop is part of CADFA’s Beyond The Checkpoints Youth Visit programme, which has been running since 2006 and supports Palestinian participants with youth leaders. The visit takes place against the backdrop of a UN commission’s findings of grave humanitarian crises in Gaza and increased human rights abuses in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Pentabus recently launched its first youth theatre in its 50-year history, offering weekly sessions during term time at Ludlow Assembly Rooms for school years 7–9 and 10–13.
