DAVÍD
DJEMAL
playwright | actor | theatre-maker
Photo by S. Kim Glassman
I wrote some things. Take a look.
Photo by PND Photography
I'm a British-Israeli playwright, actor, and theatre-maker of Syrian Jewish heritage. I graduated from RADA's inaugural Playwriting MA in 2026, following training from Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC as well as the Royal Academy of Music’s Musical Theatre Postgraduate programme.
Queer and Orthodox, Arab and Jewish, I find joy in writing from the points of friction between my identities, rather than shying away from them. I want to hold truth. Distil it. Interrogate it. Relish its tensions.
As you can tell, I take myself way too seriously, but I try to remember it's not that serious. It's just stories, you know? Then again, what else is there?
I did some things. Take a look.
Press
Acting
CITIZEN at The Space Theatre - Review
"Djemal’s portrayal of Boochani was exceptional. It was hard to return his gaze as he spoke about the daily humiliations he and fellow inmates at the detention centre faced"
Aladdin at Chipping Norton - Review
“Zelina Rebeiro and David Djemal make convincing romantic leads as Aladdin and Jasmine, with a particularly strong vocal performance from Djemal.”
Writing
Article in The Guardian, August 2019
"Though I find use of the term “Jewface” grating, Jewish cultural appropriation is a serious problem on London stages."
"Jew You Love Me?" at The Lion and Unicorn Theatre - Review
"It is clear that Djemal and Shamai understand the ingredients of a successful musical."
GET IN ToUCH!
contact
If you would like to chat about a play, dramaturgy, and possibilities for collaboration, hit me up using the form on the right!
