This year will mark the 20th anniversary of Refugee Week: 18th – 24th June.
To help celebrate the event Hull theatre company, Theatre On The Edge, has created a new play, I Am Mehdi Ahmadi.
The play tells the story of one refugee’s journey from his home country to Hull. It looks at his reasons for leaving, the difficulties of his journey and his experiences of settling down in a new and strange community. The final script of the play is based on in-depth interviews between the playwright, Barrie Wheatley, and Mehdi Shahini, a Hull refugee.
The play, which will include drama, physical theatre, music, dance and multi-media, has a cast of experienced performers and Hull based refugees. Before each show musicians and singers from the Hull refugee community will perform. After each show there will be a Q and A and feedback session.
Theatre On The Edge, a Hull based company, formed in 2012 says its aim is to produce quality theatre with new and original work. Core members work in diverse ways in the performing arts in Hull. Artistic director Chris Gruca says, ‘Since we started out we have explored different kinds of issue based theatre that have helped us to grow as a company’.
The company has been commissioned by Assemble Fest three times. They have performed and toured locally and regionally and will be at the Edinburgh Fringe this year with their new immersive show, ‘You Are Cordially Invited…’.
I Am Mehdi Ahmadi can be seen at the following venues:
Bourne Street Elim Church, Bourne Street, Hull
Monday 18th June at 7.30 pm. Admission is free with donations to the church.
Kardomah 94, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull
Wednesday 20th June (which is International Refugee Day) at 2 pm and 7.30 pm. Tickets £5, ring 317941 or Hull Box Office, 221113.
Gulbenkian Theatre, University of Hull
Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd June at 7.30 pm. Tickets £5, ring Hull Box Office 221113.
For further details contact Chris Gruca on 01482 471135 or 07790 391410 or email ontheedgehull@hotmail.co.uk