Rootball & Chromolume Theatre present

Blood, Gold and Oil

Written by Jan Woolf | Directed by Isaac Bernier-Doyle. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate, London, 25 – 30 April 2023

From the Arab revolt of the First World War, a modern hero is constructed: the complex, flawed figure of Lawrence of Arabia. His legacy is as conflicted as his psyche. Brilliant military commander? Agent of British Imperialism? Vulnerable fantasist? Freedom Fighter?

 Set in the present day, as an exhibition of the genuine archaeological finds (on loan from the Great Arab Revolt archaeological dig in Jordan) is set up in a museum, the ghost of Lawrence of Arabia is summoned through the passions of the archaeologist. Yet reality and agency reside in the more grounded figure who thinks about the future rather than the past.

 Written for the 20th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Jan Woolf started the play as writer in residence with the Great Arab Revolt archaeological dig in Jordan in 2013 where she 'dug a play out of the desert.' More information about Jan here.

Listings information

25th – 30th April
Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, N6 4BD
Tues – Sat, 7.30pm, Sun 4pm | Running Time: 75 minutes
£20 - £16 | www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com | 020 8340 3488
Press contact: Annlouise Butt / Jan Woolf
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. T: 020 8340 4256
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. T: 07967 161 291