The inspiration for Plan D comes from real life testimonies of Palestinian Arabs that survived the war against Israel in 1948, but were uprooted from their homes. To this day the resentment remains a prime source of conflict between the neighbouring countries.

The play follows a Palestinian family, playful, close and content with life on their farm. It is perhaps poignant that the characters are not given names, instead referred to by their position in the family, father, mother etc, as this anonymity skilfully represents how the usurped Arabs were considered by the intruding Israelites; nameless and unimportant.

The opening sequence is light and jovial, introducing the audience to a normal household going about their everyday activities; Mother cleans the dishes and talks about designer bathroom accessories, the children do their homework and Father smokes and tells stories. Other than Grandmother cleaning a revolver there is no reference to the battle or the political situation that brought about the conflict.

The war is brought to our attention with the arrival of the cousin who has come with news that everybody has deserted his village, driven out by Israeli soldiers. He warns the family the same thing will happen in the village where they live. The introduction of the cousin raises the only moment of intrigue Plan D has to offer - the mother’s well kept secret. Alas, the plays only hook is predictable and short-lived.

For such a provocative subject matter, Plan D should have been a powerful and enlightening examination of desperation and survival, but what it amounted to was a string of uninspiring stories tied together into a threadbare plot. Writer Hannah Khalil fails to unearth the tragedy and emotion of the Palestinian people and makes it difficult for the audience to evoke any sympathy towards her characters. This was perhaps epitomised with a sudden and seemingly unfinished ending which caused the audience to delay their applause in anticipation of the next scene.