A Manchester poet and playwright is set to bring tell heart-wrenching story of an Ethiopian-Eritrean boy’s turbulent passage through the British care system this evening.
The official poet of the 2012 London Olympics, Lemn Sissay, has brought his adaption of Benjamin Zephaniah’s critically acclaimed novel, Refugee Boy, to the Waterside Arts Centre in Salford.
Part of a nationwide tour, Refugee Boy has received rave reviews, and Lemn hopes audiences in Greater Manchester will embrace the production.
“This story needs to be told and I want people to come out of the theatre having an insight into the struggles and turmoil that this individual goes through,” Lemn told MM.
“Very serious issues are tackled in the play however people will be able to relate because at the same time it is extremely funny and this mirrors life – yes everyone will go through difficulties but you have to search for the laughter.”
Lemn told MM he found adapting the critically acclaimed source material somewhat daunting prospect.
He said: “It was a scary process to adapt Benjamin’s hugely successful novel because his books are his family – they contain his life but it was also a gift to be able to spend time with those characters and bring them to life on stage.”
At the heart of the play, directed by Gail McIntyre, is the young protagonist Alem, a 14-year-old refugee in London who is forced to leave his homeland after his Ethiopian father and Eritrean mother leave him as a violent civil war rages back home.
Played by Fisayo Akinade, the teen takes control of his own destiny, determined to transcend his refugee label to become Alem Kelo – an African, a Peacemaker and no longer just a refugee boy.
Akinade stand out performance have earned him a wealth of plaudits, but Lemn says he has been overwhelmed with the entire cast.
The poet explained: “Of course Alem is central as he provides the focal story about arriving, belonging and finding home.
“However each and every one of the actors is incredibly – they have really thrown themselves into their roles and fully understood and developed the characters.
“Each one has given 100% to the play and it amazes me that they often play different characters which I think is an incredible feat.”
ALL SMILES: Lemn (left) with Refugee Boy’s author Benjamin Zephaniah
The play has already been shown in cities across the nation including London, Nottingham and Glasgow but it was paramount for the author that his adaptation be performed in Greater Manchester.
“I love Manchester and Manchester loves me,” Lemn said. “The city gave me so much – I am so proud I have had the opportunity to bring it here and it is the only dates on tour that I am attending.
“I want the audience to enjoy the play first and foremost and it is vital that it’s told because it is so rare that a story about an Ethiopian-Eritrean has national attention and of all the writers in Britain I felt like I was the right one to adapt such a sublime novel.”
Lemn says many of the themes which are explored are relatable to a large number of the population, not just the large number of refugees in the country.
“Although it may appear on the surface that the play has specific themes such as refugees and the care system, it is a story about all of us,” he said.
“It is about the human spirit and when we are under pressure and face problems in life we are faced with a decision of how to survive.”
Lemn can directly relate to the award winning novel as he was brought up by a foster family in Lancashire after being left by his own Ethiopian-Eritrean parents.
And the Mancunian poet, who is the associate artist at the Southbank in London, hopes a message for change will be sent out to the care services in Manchester and the country.
“I think the Manchester care system can learn a lot from the play because it demonstrates that we need to make sure it is listening to the truth of young people who are in care,” Lemn said.
“However this is also worldwide because care systems everywhere can cause the isolation of children and then the manipulation of them.
“Children are pivotal in this production and every person on this earth is a child once so everyone can empathise and relate.
“The play shows light where there is darkness but there is much that society can take from the play to learn and improve on especially the care system.”
Refugee Boy will be shown at the Waterside Arts Centre in Salford this evening until April 3.
Lemn Sissay will be also be taking part in a Q & A session with cast members on April 2.
For updates about Lemn Sissay’s work and performances, visit his website, or follow him on Twitter @lemnsissay
