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comes back to London for 7 performances only!

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13 countries 1 family

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The Satire of the Calais Jungle

The Comedy about the Tragedy

BORDERLINE

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DOCUMENTARY
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TRAILER

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PSYCHEdelight facilitated art based workshops in Calais Jungle throughout

2015 -2016. Sophie, a theatre director and art-therapist witnessed among the refugees an eagerness for comedy as a way to contrast and express their tragedy. This experience gave her the impulse to create "Borderline". The show is the result of 6 weeks devising period with an ensemble of European and refugee performers altogether from 9 different nationalities : Uk, France, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Italy, Palestine, Chile and Sudan. 

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ABOUT BORDERLINE

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Because comedy is just the other side of tragedy. A different way to approach the Western's response to the situation in Calais: We bounced on its insanity and absurdity! Our aim was also to improve public perception of refugees by conveying a positive image far from the dark one often portrayed in the press. We wanted to show their resilience, their numerous talents and their incredible sense of humor that helped them many times along their painful journey.

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Borderline is co-produced by Counterpoints Art and received the precious support from Arts  Council UK, The French Institute, The Cockpit, The Young Vic taking part, Theatre Delicatessen  and Old Vic Workrooms.

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"Borderline has established PSYCHEdelight as one of the leading creators of theatre with refugees, exploring new ways to embed genuine participation that

can lead to professional performance and artistic development." Counterpoints Art

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Why a comedy?

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"I had enough sadness. I love making people laugh. It makes me feel better..." 

- Enayat, 17 y, from Afghanistan

Charly Martelli
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BORDERLINE'S INTERNATIONAL TOUR

GERMANY (Berlin): Nov 2017

 

INDIA (Kerala) : Jan 2018

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DENMARK (Aalborg): Feb 2018

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LONDON:  March 2018​

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OXFORD Human Rights Festival:  March 2018​

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SWITZERLAND (Lausanne): June 2018

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SHANGHAI: Nov 2020 (online - Covid)

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SINGAPORE: Jan 2022 (online - Covid)

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HUFFINGTON POST “High Comedy
 
 
amidst the​ poignancy. Powerful.
 
 
Important.”
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THE GUARDIAN: The funny side of
 
 
Calais Jungle
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REFUGEE WEEK “The refugee art's
 
 
project​​ everyone's talking about”
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WEST END EXTRA Refugees beat visa
 
 
issues​​ and lack of funds to stage ‘funny’
 
 
play about​ the crisis
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SOUTHBANK CENTRE  “From
 
 
Sudan​ to the stage”
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THE BIG ISSUE  “Did you hear the one

 

about the refugees?”

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LONDON REVIEWS HUB  "Fascinating

and purposeful piece of theatre"

Baraa Halabieh

PRESS

MEDIA

THE GUARDIAN   10 min Documentary 

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ALJAZEERA: Interview with Borderline

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AL ARABY  TV 10 min Documentary    

 

(2hrs 13 mins in)

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LONDON LIVE Interview

“Syrian refugee in a comedy about Calais”

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LATEST  TV Interview with director Sophie Besse

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Abd Alrehman Slama

Baraa Halabieh

Charly Martelli

Delia Remy

Gareth Watkins

Enayat Khan

Lujza Richter

Mohamed Sàrràr

Mohanad Hasb Alrsol Badr

Naqeeb Saide

Peter Pearson

Reuben Williams

Roberto Landi

Tracy Radzan

Wasig Zaid

Yasin Moradi

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PERFORMERS

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Director:  Sophie Besse Bertrand
Set Designer:  Petra Hjortsberg
Sound design: Iurii Galkin

Clown facilitator:  Frank Würzinger

Photography:  Jose Farinha and Severine Sajous (top group pic)

Poster:  Pauline Labadie

Producer: Rebecca Laughton

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CREATIVE TEAM

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Tamara Astor (accordeon)

Basel Zaara (drums)

Habib Sadat (drums)

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MUSICIANS

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