Absent
by Betool Khedairi and Penny Black
22 - 26 January 2026
6 pm start on Sunday, 7.30 all other dates
1990s Baghdad, Dalal is studying French at university and looking forward to her future. But then bombs start falling and sanctions turn neighbours into informants. All around is the wreckage of war. To survive, her uncle starts an apiary, soothsayer Umm Mazin flourishes, Saad opens a hair salon and introduces her to handsome Adel... but when people start disappearing, Dalal no longer knows who to trust.
Absent, adapted as a solo performance from the novel by Betool Khedairi, is a haunting portrait of life under restrictions written with biting Iraqi humour.
Written by Penny Black
Directed by Svetlana Dimcovic
This is a 14+ show. The show lasts for 75 minutes with no interval
Betool Khedairi is the most translated author from Arabic into English. This adaptation of her novel by Penny Black, and directed by Svetlana Dimcovic had a sold-out run at Voila Festival in November and is returning to Barons Court Theatre for only 5 performances. We expect these to be sold out too, so book now!