Kosovan Refugees Stage Aid Play in London

As the NATO bombings continue and the influx of Kosovan refugees into the UK gathers momentum, the first arts project aimed at telling their story prepares to open in London's East End. Brokenville, a new play written by Philip Ridley and performed entirely by Kosovan refugees, opens at St Geoge's Church in Dagenham, Essex on Tuesday 4 May 1999 for five nights only.

The borough of Barking and Dagenham has a population of some 3,500 Kosovan refugees who have been forced to leave their homeland during the past year. Director Benjamin May and designer Atlanta Duffy have spent six months with the community holding workshops based on Ridley's initial ideas for the writing of a play.

Brokenville tells the story of a child discovered in a house destroyed by a nameless war. Six other people stumble upon the house and, in an attempt to comfort the child, tell fairy stories which reveal their own dark and often painful war-torn pasts and lead the child to an understanding of how to deal with his situation.

The play is performed in English by local refugees, many with no professional acting experience. Ticket prices are at the discretion of individual audience members with all monies raised donated to Kosova Aid, the local Kosovan humanitarian charity. The project is backed by several big names of the British theatrical establishment, including Penelope Wilton, Tom Stoppard, David Hare, Harriet Walters and Simon Callow.

Performances will be held Tuesday 4 May to Saturday 8 May at 8.00pm. The nearest Tube station is Dagenham Heathway. Ushers will be at the station to direct the audience to the venue.

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