Finborough Theatre Witnesses Controversial Sobol Play

London's Finborough Theatre will present Joseph Sobol's play "IWitness" from January 2 to 27

According to press notes, the play "joins a number of other recent London stage productions that highlight in differing ways courageous defiance of Nazism in Germany....IWitness deals with yet another defiance of nazi oppression - the true story of Austrian farmer Franz Jagerstatter, who was beheaded in 1943 for refusing to wear a nazi uniform. It is set during the 20th century Christian martyr's last day before his execution when his friends and loved ones plead with him to abandon his principles and save his life. But, written in 2002 in the wake of the conscientious objection movement in Israel when over 600 pilots and soldiers refused to serve in what they considered occupied Palestinian territories, it is clear that Sobol's underlying message is about more than pacifism and defiance of nazism during the second world war."

Tel Aviv born Sobol was artistic director of the Municipal Theatre in Haifa until he resigned following widespread protests throughout Israel about his play "The Jerusalem Syndrome". While his plays have been seen throughout the Middle East, Europe and North America, he is best known in the UK for The National Theatre production of his Olivier Award nominated play Ghetto, winner of the 1989 Evening Standard and Critics Circle Awards for Best Play.

The cast taking up residence at the Finborough Theatre (near Earl's Court) includes Mel Raido, Leah Muller, Lucinda Millward, Natalie Radmall-Quirke, Richard Atwill, Jonathon Bryan, Lucja Nowicka, James Henry Parker and Natalia Tatarka.

It will be directed by young Israeli director Michael Ronen, and designed by Nicky Bunch, with music by Yaniv Fridel.