Cinema for Gaza hosts star-studded Pride & Prejudice table read to support Palestine

On Sunday, October 12, East London’s iconic Troxy venue will transport audiences back to Regency England for a special table read of Jane Austen’s beloved classic, Pride & Prejudice, curated by the inclusive fundraising initiative Cinema for Gaza.

The event combines arch romance, gender-swapped casting, and a message of solidarity with Palestine.

The one-off theatrical evening brings together a stellar cast including Ambika Mod, Daisy Ridley, Jameela Jamil, Jenna Coleman, Morfydd Clark, Nish Kumar, Susan Wokoma, Mawaan Rizwan, Priya Kansara, Amar Chadha-Patel, Jeff Mirza, Shazia Mirza, Asim Chaudhry, and others yet to be announced. 

The performance, helmed by director Nida Manzoor, promises a fun and imaginative tribute to Austen’s enduring tale, celebrating her 250th birth anniversary.

Audiences will witness the timeless story unfold as Mr. Bingley courts the Bennett sisters and the haughty Mr. Darcy struggles to navigate Regency social decorum, with witty dialogue, scandalous twists, and hard-won happy endings.

Cinema for Gaza, a volunteer-led initiative founded by a diverse group of film professionals, has raised £269,206 for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) since its launch in April 2024.

Every penny raised during the event will support MAP’s lifesaving work, including its polyclinic in Gaza, which continues to operate despite bombardment, siege, and forced displacement. The clinic provides vital healthcare, including psychosocial support, physiotherapy, and chronic medication to hundreds of patients daily.

The event also serves as a platform for solidarity with Palestinians enduring unimaginable losses amid ongoing violence and occupation.

Organizers hope the evening will not only provide a memorable night of theatre but also send a message that the UK public and the entertainment industry stand against the 'Israeli' genocide and oppression in the occupied Palestinian territories.