North East Theatre Company of Sanctuary launches new production developed with refugees
HERE - by Curious Monkey - is part of a project highlighting the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and people settling in the North East
Last updated 28th Feb 2022
A new theatre production being launched this week - set in Byker - is hoping to highlight the idea of Sanctuary.
HERE - which is being performed at Newcastle's Northern Stage, was created by the Curious Monkey company - who worked with refugees to produce the play.
The play is part of Curious Monkey’s Arriving project. Collaborating for 18 months with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants from all over the world including Sudan, Syria, Angola, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Zimbabwe, Kosovo, Bangladesh, Congo and Nigeria, writer Lindsay Rodden worked closely with more than 80 people who are now settling in the North East and Derby to create authentic characters.
Lindsay says, “As a writer, I was determined not to take a story from anyone. Because stories are so powerful that the Home Office will demand yours from you, question it, doubt it, perhaps use it against you. But stories have been given, and invented, and shared, and that’s how we made HERE. The play is only one part of a huge project, and a growing community writing its own story, reclaiming and harnessing that power in the hope of happy endings. That’s all any of us want, isn’t it?”
The cast includes professional actors from refugee backgrounds:
Arieta Visoka plays Lulja. Arieta came to the UK aged two as a refugee from Kosovo.
The R&D process for HERE was Arieta’s first professional job and she is excited to share the play with a live audience.
“I can’t wait to see the characters interact on stage, and show the truth behind their own history. The story is very important to me personally, and I feel so lucky to be working with the whole creative team again.”
Director Amy Golding said,
“HERE is a beautiful story full of hope (and challenges!) It’s about unlikely friendships, it’s both very funny and heart wrenching in parts. Set against the backdrop of austerity in a struggling library, it is also about the power of books and storytelling.
"The show was due to open in the week of the very first lockdown in March 2020, it was about to open and tour the UK when the theatres were all shut down.
"Two years on and the play is more urgent than ever.
"The increased hostile environment fuelled by Priti Patel’s nationality and borders bill makes it all the more important that we humanise people who are seeking sanctuary, this play helps us (those involved in making it and audiences alike) to understand the commonalities between us as humans despite where we’re from and what circumstances we have found ourselves in.”
Curious Monkey and Northern Stage are both dedicated to making theatre accessible for everyone.
HERE sees features like translation and a relaxed performance to make the show more accessible for people.
We spoke to the show's Director Amy Golding about why it's so important:
HERE is on at Northern Stage from the 4th of March - you can find more information here.
You can find out more about Curious Monkey and their work here.