comes back to London for 7 performances only!
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13 countries 1 family
A unique theatre ensemble
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The Satire of the Calais Jungle
A devised theatre show with refugee & European performers.
BORDERLINE

DOCUMENTARY
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TRAILER
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“Borderline” is a satirical comedy about the Calais Jungle refugee camp, devised in 2016 by PSYCHEdelight, a theatre company known for its bold work on migration and exile.
The show was born from art-based workshops held in the Calais Jungle throughout 2015–2016, where refugees used humour to cope with and express the gravity of their experiences. Sophie, a theatre director and art therapist, witnessed a powerful hunger for comedy amidst the tragedy — a desire to laugh, connect, and be seen beyond victimhood.
The result is Borderline, a devised theatre piece created over six weeks with a unique theatre ensemble of refugee and European performers from nine different countries: the UK, France, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Italy, Palestine, Chile, and Sudan. Fusing clowning, physical theatre, and satire, Borderline offers a bold, funny, and deeply human look at borders, bureaucracy, and belonging.
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ABOUT BORDERLINE

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Because comedy is the flip side of tragedy — a way to process pain through laughter. With Borderline, we chose humour to devise a theatre show that explores the absurdity of the Western response to the Calais Jungle. We bounced off its contradictions and chaos, using satire to reflect the surreal reality refugees were facing. Our goal was also to shift public perception — to move away from the dark, one-dimensional images often seen in the media. We wanted to highlight the resilience, the creativity, and above all, the remarkable sense of humour of the people we met — a humour that helped them endure even the harshest moments of their journeys.
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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?

"I had enough sadness. I love making people laugh. It makes me feel better..."
- Enayat, 17 y, from Afghanistan


BORDERLINE'S INTERNATIONAL TOUR
GERMANY (Berlin): Nov 2017
INDIA (Kerala) : Jan 2018
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DENMARK (Aalborg): Feb 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
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LONDON REVIEWS HUB "Fascinating

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