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Edinburgh International Festival: Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah

Edinburgh International Festival: Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah

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About This Event

As part of the Edinburgh International Festival, the Khashabi Theatre company presents Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah at The Royal Lyceum. The production reimagines an epic poem using live music and physical theatre.

Palestinian theatre company Khashabi Theatre reimagines an epic poem with physical theatre and live music. The legendary poem Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah (The Epic of Bani Hilal) has been passed down from generation to generation since the 14th century. Once widespread across the Middle East, it is now only performed in Egypt and is at risk of extinction. Khashabi Theatre creators Bashar Murkus and Khulood Basel couldn’t find any evidence of a Palestinian version, so they chose to merge the myth with the aesthetics of Palestinian folklore and Arab performance styles. Rejecting European theatrical norms, this exhilarating retelling merges physical theatre with poetry, live music, puppetry and dance. Murkus and Basel’s unique theatrical works are informed by extensive research and seek to ask questions of humanity – from within Palestine and beyond.

Description supplied by the event organiser.

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Frequently asked questions

Edinburgh International Festival: Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah takes place on Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at 20:30.

Edinburgh International Festival: Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah is held at The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh in Edinburgh (Royal Lyceum Theatre Grindlay Street, Edinburgh West EH3 9AX).

Tickets for Edinburgh International Festival: Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah can be booked via whatsoninedinburgh.co.uk using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.