Life of LGBT asylum seekers play heads to Newcastle
A NEW play, inspired by the struggles of lesbians and gay men who have fled to the UK to escape persecution, will be staged at the Peter Sarah Theatre, Newcastle College, on Tuesday, May 24, and Wednesday, May 25.
Written by, and starring British comedienne, Clare Summerskill, the show explores the lives of three asylum seekers from Iran, Uganda and Malaysia and is based entirely on the real-life experiences of those who have already made the journey.
It looks in-depth at the issues of those who are detained or deported in this country and reveals what happens when people arrive friendless, penniless and jobless in the UK and are often too afraid to report to the Home Office in case they are sent back to countries where their lives were under threat.
Rights of Passage, which is being performed by Artemis Theatre Company, is supported in the North-East by regional charity, Northern Pride, which works to raise awareness of the issues faced by the LGBT community, build mutual respect and end discrimination.
Mark Nichols, chair of Northern Pride, says: “Little is known publicly about what happens to those who are able to flee to the UK and whether they find the refuge they seek. This powerful new play serves to redress that balance and really get to the heart of what LGBT asylum seekers go through.”
* Tickets are priced at £10 per person or £8 concessions. More information about this event, which is open to over 14s only, at northern-pride.com/event/rightsofpassage.
Viv Hardwick
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