top of page

comes back to London for 7 performances only!

​

Borderline: 13 countries 1 Family

After an International tour that took us  all the way to India, we will be back in London in Jan 2019 with our new creation "Welcome to the UK!" and 7 performances of Borderline, our first show that somehow became our ensemble name!

TicketTransp_WTTUK.png
received_10155508295759272.jpeg
DOCUMENTARY
​
TRAILER

ABOUT BORDERLINE

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. 

​

Borderline_Show_SB-17.jpg
Borderline_Rehearsal_SB_Jun17-31.jpg
received_10155537256574272.jpeg
Borderline_Show_SB-7.jpg
Why a comedy?

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.

​

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.

​

"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

​

To read more click   â€‹here:

​

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

- Enayat, 17 years old, from Afghanistan

Charly Martelli
received_10155537256569272.jpeg
TOUR DATES 2018
​

INDIA (Kerala) : 20-29 Jan

​

DENMARK (Aalborg): 8-9 Feb

​

LONDON: 6-11 March Pleasance Theatre

​

LONDON (school show): 12 March 2018

​

OXFORD (Oxford Human Rights Festival): 17 March 2018

​

NORWICH 16 June 2018. SOLD OUT

​

SWITZERLAND (Lausanne): 18 June 2018

MEDIA
​

​

THE GUARDIAN   10 min Documentary 

​

​

ALJAZEERA: Interview with Borderline

​

​

AL ARABY  TV 10 min Documentary    (2hrs 13 mins in)

​

​

LONDON LIVE Interview “Syrian refugee starts in comedy about Calais”

​

​

LATEST  TV Interview with Director Sophie Besse

​

​

​​

​

​

PRESS

​

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

THE BIG ISSUE  “Did you hear the one about the refugees?”

​

​

LONDON REVIEWS HUB  "Fascinating and purposeful piece of theatre"

Abd Alrehman Slama

"The people in Borderline hold me and catch me again." Abd Alrehman. Syria

​

PERFORMERS

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

​

​

​

​

Baraa Halabieh
​

MUSICIANS

Tamara Astor (accordeon)

Basel Zaara (drums)

Habib Sadat (drums)

​
CREATIVE TEAM

 

Director:  Sophie NL Besse.
Clown facilitator:  Frank Würzinger
Ensemble work: Rémy Bertrand.
Set Designer:  Petra Hjortsberg
Sound design: Iurii Galkin

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

Poster:  Pauline Labadie

Producer: Rebecca Laughton

​
bottom of page