Source: The Daily Telegraph {Main} Edition: Country: UK Date: Friday 15, September 2017 © Gorkana Page: 28 Area: 996 sq. cm Circulation: ABC 477927 Daily Ad data: page rate £46,000.00, scc rate £214.00 Phone: 020 7931 2000 Keyword: National Theatre (National) 2004 remains a source of controversy . . among his PLO loyalists, many of is the one where the lead Israeli whom believe he was poisoned negotiator, taking a break from by Mossad, the Israeli intelligence the negotiations, entertains his _ service. By the time Shimon Peres, the Palestinian counterparts by giving Nobel Prize-winning prime minister an impersonation of Arafat as an of Israel who helped resolve many of effeminate narcissist, a portrayal I the more intangible issues, died more found entirely plausible from my peacefully aged 93 in 2016, he had own encounters with the PLO leader, become one of the most accomplished whose vanity knew no bounds. statesmen of our age. Uri Savir, who was deputed by But perhaps the greatest casualty Peres to run the Israeli side of the from that era - when there were negotiations, was someone else I genuine expectations on both sides of got to know during that period. An_ the Israeli-Palestinian divide that the urbane multi-linguist of an academic conflict might be resolved peacefully disposition, I generally found Uri to ~ has been the peace process itself, be softly spoken and thoughtful when which today is almost nonexistent. discussing regional issues. Philip When, for example, I told an Arab Arditti’s portrayal of him in the play, ambassador acquaintance I was though, makes him out to be more going to see a preview of the play, like the uncompromising, muscular he simply remarked: “No one talks Israeli type, more usually found in the about the peace process any more. It ranks of the security forces than in the doesn’t exist” diplomatic service. This makes Roger’s examination of Depictions in theatre of almost one of the most unlikely diplomatic anything to do with th