news > news releases

BRISTOL TEENAGERS LEARN ABOUT THE REALITIES OF ASYLUM

Tuesday February 12th 2008

TEENAGERS in Bristol will be getting to grips with the realities of life as an asylum-seeker when a multimedia theatre production comes to the city tomorrow (Wednesday February 13th).

‘They get free mobiles…….don’t they?’ combines music, song, video, film and theatre to bring to life the difficult journeys of refugees as they flee from war and persecution to find a safe haven in Britain.

The performance is a Banner Theatre production, and has been organised in Bristol by Refugee Action’s Refugee Awareness Project.

Youngsters aged between 16 and 19 who are taking vocational training courses will be in the audience, and there will be workshops and discussions after the performance.

Claire Stern, project co-ordinator for the Refugee Awareness Project, said:

“This innovative production tells the human stories behind the myths, and includes a rich tapestry of musical styles - such as rock, rap and blues.

“Our project aims to give people the opportunity to get their questions answered. We also work in partnership with refugees to ensure their voices are heard.

“We are supporting further performances for the wider public in March and hope that people will take this opportunity to find out more about asylum.”

‘They get free mobiles……don’t they?’ will be performed at the Trinity Arts Centre in on Trinity Road in Bristol. Another performance will take place on March 12th from 6:30pm at Eden Grove Church, Eden Grove in Horfield, organised by Bristol Neighbourhood Renewal. A further performance for Barton Hill Residents will take place on March 13th. Admission to all events is free. For more information on the March 12th performance call 0117 353 2837 or 903 8721.

Ends

For more information call Julia Ravenscroft, press officer at Refugee Action on 0161 233 1956.

• The Refugee Awareness Project aims to increase public understanding of asylum through workshops and talks with a wide range of schools, community groups and organisations and by hosting local events.

• Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement through community development work, and received 30,000 visits from asylum seekers last year. As one of the country’s leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 26 years’ experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees.