My Name is Rachel Corrie is an award-winning one-woman verbatim-style script, constructed from the diary entries and letters of 23-year old American activist, Rachel Corrie.

Rachel was a member of the International Solidarity Movement, which travelled to the Gaza Strip to help protect Palestinian homes from being destroyed by the Israeli Army. She was killed by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003.

She was just 23 years old. What made a young woman leave her comfortable existence to fight for the rights of strangers in a war zone? Through Rachel’s words we are invited to confront the universal questions: How do we find our path in life? What impact do our actions have on others? and How can one individual change the world for the better? Written by Rachel Corrie.

The incident caused international scandal, and was further scrutinised through the media and courts. The play was jointly edited by actor Alan Rickman and journalist Katherine Viner, and was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2005. It has since been performed around the world to critical acclaim and has been translated into over a dozen languages.

We love this play because it lets loose the voice of a vibrant and intelligent young protagonist. But what made her act so dramatically on this desire – to leave a comfortable life to fight for the rights of strangers in a war zone? Was she running away from, or towards her responsibilities? Was she a hero, or simply naïve? As the play unfurls, Rachel’s words reveal a thrilling and intimate story of a passionate female with a fire in her belly.

Creative Team:

Director – Alexandra Whitham

Performer – Phoebe Borwick

Production Design – Poppy Serano

Sound & Lighting Design – Anna Bennington

Costume Design – Joan James

Producer – Rebekah Dack

Co-edited by actor/ director Alan Rickman, and journalist Katharine Vine

My Name is Rachel Corrie will be performed in the Coal Bunker Studio from 7th – 9th December. Book Tickets here.

Join the conversation.

On Saturday 8 December at 3.30pm there will be a kōrero following the matinee performance. Four female speakers from backgrounds in different areas of activism in Auckland will join cast and crew for a conversation around what it means to be an activist in Aotearoa in 2018.

You are warmly invited to join us for this conversation. This is a free event.

Our Discussion panelists are:

Janfrie Wakim – Human right’s activist, core member of the Child Poverty Action Group and writer.

Margaret Taylor – Activism Manager at Amnesty International.

Gabriella Brayne – Youth coordinator at Auckland Women’s Centre.

Teresa Lee – UN Youth NZ