On Saturday 28 October Borderline, a comedy about the humanitarian crisis in Calais with a cast that includes refugee performers, comes to Gosforth Civic Theatre where your ticket price is a donation to local refugee charities.
Borderline has won critical acclaim for depicting the human adventure of bringing diverse communities together in such a unique and funny way, and its hoped that it will help improve public perception of integration issues and refugees when the debate can often be dominated by negative narratives.
Part of Platforma Festival 2017, Borderline was devised by Sophie Besse and brings together an ensemble cast of European and refugee performers from seven different nationalities including UK, France, Syria, Afghanistan, Chile and Sudan. Such has been the spotlight on Calais and perceived reputation of the inhabitants of the ‘Jungle’ that Borderline is a reminder of the beauty, resourcefulness, and creativity of the people who live there despite having lived through traumatic events.
With such a rich and important story, Gosforth Civic Theatre, a charity themselves, wanted to set the stage to make a real difference. Tickets are free; instead people will be asked to make a donation of a sleeping bag, clothes or a cash donation of £10 that will be given to local refugee charity Refugee Biryani and Bananas. There will also be a Q&A after the show with writer Sophie Besse, cast members and representatives from Biryani and Bananas, giving the audience the chance to discuss and learn about such an important humanitarian issue.
"I love making people laugh, it makes me happy..." Enayat, 17y. Afghanistan.
"We are not poor miserable people. We don't want pity." Baraa. Syria
Borderline is on Saturday 28 October at Gosforth Civic Theatre, with doors at 7.30pm. Tickets can be ordered here or by calling 0191 284 3700.
Watch the Trailer Below!