The Return, a play by award-winning filmmaker Ala’a Al Qaisi, comes to Victorian theatres this September.
The Return Project and Free Palestine Melbourne are proud to present The Return, a play by award-winning Palestinian Australian writer and director, Ala’a Al Qaisi.
In war-torn Gaza, a grieving father awaits the return of his martyred daughter through the clouds, until she leads him on a surreal journey to confront her killer, and heal his raging heart.
Al Qaisi is a graduate of Sydney Film School recognised internationally for her artistic vision. Her short films have been showcased at major international festivals such as Cannes World Film Festival, and earned multiple accolades, including from the Malmo Arab Film Festival.
Ala’a Al Qaisi, writer and director of The Return, said:
‘The Return is my attempt to comprehend the new reality that the genocide in Gaza has imposed upon us. It asks: How do human beings become killers? How do they become so detached from their source, from their oneness, that they are capable of such cruelty? How does a conscience die? How did we, the observers, the witnesses, allow this massacre to continue for so long? How can we remain the same after what we have witnessed? How can we unsee what we have seen? How can we undo what has been done? And how can we exempt ourselves from the guilt of silence and helplessness? Therefore, I created an imagined reality in which the audience can no longer distinguish time from place or dream from reality.’
Robert Martin, renowned activist and 2025 Gaza Flotilla participant, said:
‘The Return is a small and intimate performance that makes you feel part of the show, pulls on the heartstrings, and leaves a lasting impression.’
Dr Iqbal Barkat, Senior Lecturer in Screen Production at Macquarie University, said:
‘The Return is one of the most important pieces of theatre to come out of the current moment. It is not comfortable, and it is not trying to be. This moving work resonates with the costs of what it is to remain human.’
The Return is inspired by martyred Palestinian sisters Nagham and Rozan Abu Samra, killed by an Israeli strike on Gaza in 2024. Nagham was a karate champion who would have represented Palestine at the Olympic Games.
Al Qaisi dedicated The Return to their father Marwan, who lives on to share their legacy, and to all the beautiful souls whose lights were extinguished far too soon in the Gaza genocide.
The Return will play in theatres across Melbourne and regional Victoria from September 15. It is the first time the play will be performed in the state following a successful Sydney run in 2025.
The Return Victoria 2026 Dates:
- September 15, 16, 17 and 20: Brunswick Mechanics Institute
- September 18: Ballarat Performing Arts Centre
- September 19: Chandler Community Centre, Keysborough
- September 22: The Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine
The Return Event Site and Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/the-return-play-melbourne
The Return Official Website: https://thereturnproject.my.canva.site
The Return Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32dFFqxDulY&t=1s