A Starless Night: International Hunam Rights Day event for Gaza

A group of theatre-makers, singers and writers are getting together to draw attention to what they described as the "horrific situation" in Gaza.

Following an event in December 2023, the group will produce an evening of solidarity and fund-raising, in support of the people of Gaza and of anti-war people in Israel. 

'A Starless Night – Human Rights for Gaza' will take place on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - International Human Rights Day. it will be held at 7.00pm in Holywell Trust on Bishop Street. Everyone is very welcome and donations will be collected for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).

Patricia Byrne, artistic director of Sole Purpose Productions, will be joined by poet and dramatist Damian Gorman, writer Dave Duggan and a cast of actors and singers, who ask the question "Why think about Gaza in the mouth of Christmas?”

They reply with theatre pieces, poems and songs about the situation for the people of Gaza now, acting to bring the light of human rights to the starless night of mass-killing and destruction. 

“We are sad to have to do this again," said Patricia Byrne, "but the recovery by the people of Gaza after the destruction and mass-killing of the past two years, and the occupation of the past 77 years, demands to be kept before us, in order to push against efforts to scale up the assaults again.

"Actors will read three theatre pieces. Damian Gorman will recite his powerful poem 'STOP'. Dave Duggan will read an extract from an essay on a visit to a theatre festival in Acre, and there will be a re-working of an Ocean Colour Scene song, 'Profit in Peace' by Victoria Geelan.”

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“We are delighted to have permission from the Pulitzer Prize winning Palestinian writer Mosad Abu Toha to include one of his poems," said Damian Gorman. "He has also sent us a personal message. The Palestinian people need our support at this time, as ‘the great nations of the world’ turn their backs on them in the aftermath of mass-killing.”

Dave Duggan added: “Friends of ours in Israel and Palestine actively support the rebuilding of Gaza by Gazans, often risking their safety in doing so. We want to stand with the people of Gaza, as they harness their resilience and gather their strength yet again. Come stand with us and let them know they are in our thoughts, now, in the mouth of Christmas and into the new year.”

All the performers are donating their time to the evening. Holywell is freely providing the venue and light refreshments.

Donations, suggested at £8, can be made via Eventbrite and cash only on the door. All monies raised go to Medical Aid for Palestinians (M.A.P.), as before.