Soldiers of Tomorrow ★★★ Finborough Theatre | Jun 10 - Jul 4, 2026


Writer Itai Erdal takes on the controversial Israeli-Palestinian question from a unique perspective. A secular Jew who grew up in Israel and served in the Israeli army, he brings an insider’s understanding to a subject many people prefer to avoid. His performance, however, feels more like a lecture than a play. Erdal presents a history of the Middle East and, through a series of personal anecdotes and observations, creates an emotional connection to the broader narrative. His accounts of military service carry an authenticity that is deeply moving, and his reflections about his nephew, who may become part of the next generation of soldiers, make the intractability of the situation very real. Because of his Israeli and Jewish credentials, Erdal is able to express perspectives that many would hesitate to voice, and his narrative raises some profound questions about politics, identity, and public discourse. While it seems possible to disagree with President Obama’s policies without being labelled anti-American or racist, criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent actions is often conflated, by people on both sides of the debate, with being anti-Israeli or antisemitic. Soldiers of Tomorrow is a challenging and powerfully affecting evening, although the transformation of the material into a dramatic work is somewhat limited. Erdal is not so foolhardy as to offer a solution to this long-standing conflict, but he is unequivocal in his belief that the current hostilities are not the answer. And while he may have found a personal resolution by leaving the country of his birth, his meditation ends on a sadly reflective note that suggests no one can truly escape the collective and individual memories they carry with them.

Rated: ★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Matt Reznek

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: 118 Finborough Rd, London SW10 9ED, UK

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