Penguin

Hamzeh Al Hussien and Amy Golding present

Penguin

Be proud. Be who you are. Be more penguin. 

Here's what you need to know...

I am Hamzeh. My favourite shisha flavour is double apple. I love dancing.

Here's what's going to happen...

There will be loud music. A wedding. My first time on a plane. A lot of moonlight.

This is the story of my life (so far). People have a lot of questions. The answer is

"Yes.

I can do anything."

Full of humour and beauty, Hamzeh Al Hussien’s extraordinary story takes you on a personal tour of the places he knows best. His village in the Syrian mountains, Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan, Gateshead (UK) and inside his mind: a place full of music, dancing, fantasies and marbles. Hamzeh invites the audience to be his childhood friends, to hold up the moon to light his way, and into his dreams, brushing the dust from his clothes...and taking the stage.

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the British Council and the North Shields Cultural Quarter.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Uplifting tale of finding self-acceptance and joy"  
THE STAGE

⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A born storyteller, Hamzeh effortlessly performs the show brilliantly directed by Amy Golding combines moments of delightful comedy.. alongside chilling and harrowing moments".
THE REVIEWS HUB

"an extraordinary tale, told with beautiful simplicity" 
DISABILITY ARTS ONLINE

Penguin Trailer

Penguin Programme

Penguin Digital Programme

Creative Team

Hamzeh Al Hussien

Hamzeh discovered theatre and performance in Za'atari camp through workshops, where he began to perform, touring shows across the camp and facilitating workshops with young people with disabilities.

'Penguin' was Hamzeh's professional debut, it toured the UK in 2023 gaining much press, brilliant reviews and winning Best Newcomer at the NE Culture Awards.

Hamzeh has since created work for Alphabetti Theatre and GIFT. He regularly performs in panto and as an actor, clown and entertainer.

Amy Golding

Amy is an activist theatre-maker with 21 years experience, having toured work extensively in the UK and South Africa.
After 12 years as Artistic Director/Joint CEO at Curious Monkey she has now stepped into a new phase of her career as an independent multidisciplinary artist exploring the relationship between performance, interactive/immersive experiences and activism through moments of joy.

Her work as a theatre-maker and director includes: 'Penguin', 'Mamela' by Ziphozakhe Hlobo and Gez Casey (a verbatim show with women from the Eastern Cape in SA - winning two awards), 'Leaving' by Paddy Campbell, 'Beats North' by Luke Barnes and Ishy Din for Curious Monkey, 'Rattle and Roll' by Catrina McHugh (Open Clasp), 'Live Witness' (Live Theatre's 40th birthday promenade performance).

Her writing credits include: 'This World Here...Nomhlaba Le' (Curious Monkey) and 'Everything Is Wondrous' (Live Theatre), 'Preggers' (an autobiographical show about her journey to motherhood, tracking experiences of miscarriage). Her latest work also includes: pop-up experiences with the Curious Caravan, sound/nature walks, co-created parties.

£12 concs £10 & £8

75 Minutes

Prices include £1 ticket levy - for more information on our ticket pricing go to our Plan Your Visit page.

Trigger Warnings: This show includes stories about being displaced due to war, refugee camps and ableism (disability discrimination).

Age recommendation: 12+

Penguin has integrated creative captions in Arabic and English.
Recommended seating areas: English is on the left, Arabic on right. Avoid far corners for either - towards middle is best.

Friday 11 April Performance includes a post show talk with Hamzeh and Director Amy Golding - There will also be an Arabic Translator available

Venue: Main Auditorium

Plays