Review: The First Year (of the Gaza Genocide in the Media), New Diorama ★★★

The First Year (of the Gaza Genocide in the Media) describes itself as a multimedia investigation into how mainstream media has reported on Gaza, built from academic research and direct testimony. This is an undeniably important topic and this fiercely ambitious show attempts to evidence the limitations of the media coverage and also give the voice of the people of Gaza themselves.

We begin in a Strictly style show environment, where a suave and ingratiating presenter (Luca Kamleh Chapman) is about to head off to the Middle East. Backing singers appear to perform a cheery number, but listening closely will reveal lines such as: “You attack, we respond; you hit us, we retaliate”. This is our first hint that we are about to embark on an unconventional evening. Highly inventive and unique, some creative choices are more successful than others.

A section written by Hannah Khalil, calculating the worth of a Palestinian life versus an Israeli one is delivered successfully as black comedy. This undervaluing is important to understand but is perhaps more academic detail than something that naturally sits within a show. Similarly, a piece laying out how the BBC is structured and paid for does not make for especially compelling theatre. It also seems likely that the kind of audience who chose to come to a show like this are there because they understand the limitations of the media they can access and how it favours one side. Extended detail about the crusades perhaps could also be reduced; the show is at its best when we hear genuine voices that are not currently given the volume and platform they deserve.

Searingly powerful, the human story of the Nuseirat massacre is a standout. Contrasted with the actual media presentation of the hostage rescue at Nuseirat, which is presented first (with its glossing over of Palestinian casualties), here we are unflinchingly told a set of powerful, individual stories. These are not told with hyperbole or flowery language but with raw, real clarity and almost everyday detail: the market, the checking in on a relative… and then the blood and horror. We cannot be introduced to every casualty but by meeting a handful, the rest become less than shadows themselves.

Projections detailing key events were striking, showing the martyr count of both individuals and journalists clocking up day by day. It was a shame this could not be woven in to continue throughout the show. Some of the day-by-day detail about individual days shown centrally was quite long and I did not always manage to read it in time. This perhaps though could be seen to represent the pace of the situation has developed, with horrendous events barely absorbed before the next one comes.

What will linger here is the scale of this genocide and the individuals: the engineer who is now a war photographer, the journalist who is now a refugee mother. It is very welcome to hear their stories in such a full London theatre.

Read the Red Bus interview with Sînziana Cojocărescu here.

Images credit: xxxx

BOOKING DETAILS:

23 September – 10 October 2026
New Diorama Theatre, 15–16 Triton St, London NW1 3BF
Nearest tube: Warren Street or Great Portland Street
Tue–Sat 7.30pm, Saturday matinees 3pm
Running time: 90 minutes
Content warnings: haze, loud noises, flashing lights, extended blackouts, strong and hateful language, and graphic descriptions of extreme acts of mass violence
https://newdiorama.com/whats-on/the-first-year

[Thank you to New Diorama Theatre for a gifted ticket for an honest review,]

Recent reviews: