Alon Tiran is the only Israeli studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. As part of the college’s festival, he directed a play, Masked, by his compatriot Ilan Hatsor, in which he cast three half-British, half-Arab actors to play three Palestinian brothers.

Tiran’s elder brother, Itay is already a celebrated actor with Israel’s Cameri Theatre company, and appeared in Channel 4’s controversial Israel drama, The Promise.

Alon’s production of Masked, which was set during the first intifada, won great plaudits from fellow students and audiences alike.

Ironically, the tyro director, who saw more than 60 actors when casting the play, ended up having to teach his cast Palestinian accents.