Avoid the single story, reducing complex human beings to a single narrative

In 2018 LegalAliens launched Migrations: Harbour Europe, a Europe-wide call, to find plays addressing migration  avoiding the usual cliches.

We received 157 plays from 17 countries, selected three and presented them as readings at the Arcola Theatre, followed by debates curated by Dr Szabolcs Musca (University of Lisbon/New Tides Platforms/Migrant Dramaturgies Network).

Funded by Arts Council England

GENESIS

A modern morality play with the charm of a fairytale and the depth of an old myth, Chiara Boscaro’s play focuses on language as an empowering tool that helps us delineate the borders of our personal world.

CHIARA BOSCARO is an Italian playwright whose work has been translated into Catalan, French, English and Finnish. Plays include 07.09.2012 (PIIGS Selection, Barcelona, 2016), Bedda Maki (winner of 2016 Una commedia in cerca d’autori), the international project PENTATEUCO, and La citta’ che sale, winner of the 2018 Mario Fratti Award in New York.

THE SEA IS MY NATION

An old couple live on the edge of a city near the sea. On hearing “migrants from the war” are coming, they decide to build a barbed wire border around their makeshift property.

HALA MOUGHANIE was born in Lebanon  where she works as a playwright, writer and consultant in international cooperation. Her writing is focused on exploring the memories and wounds of war. Her first play, Tais-toi et creuse (Shut Up and Dig) was awarded the 2015 RFI Theatre Price, selected by Cross-Channel Theater (UK) and is currently being translated into English. Her latest play, Alma, was produced in 2018 as part of Fissures during the Festival des Francophonies en Limousin. In 2018 she was awarded the Prix d’aide à la Création – ArtCena, and the Prix du Quartier des Auteurs du Tarmac.

CLOSED LANDS

Part reportage, part traveler’s diary and part medieval Passion play, this powerful and evocative ensemble piece traces the history of modern border walls – real and metaphorical – drawing progressively closer to our current moment. Is history bound to repeat itself?

SIMON GRANGEAT is a French playwright. His writing combines elements of documentary, verbatim and fiction in unique theatrical forms. Work includes Du Piment dans les yeux, Une si jolie mariée, Un Cœur Moulinex, Deux pieds demain, Divines désespérances, T.I.N.A. – une brève histoire de la crise, Faut-il désespérer du monde ou mourir en riant? and Les Méchants, a collection of plays for young people. His plays have been widely performed in France at Comédie Française, Collectif À Mots Découverte, Théâtre du Rond-Point, C.D.N and translated into several languages.