MASTER story-teller Benjamin Zephaniah’s novel, Refugee Boy, has been adapted for stage by Lemn Sissay.

The West Yorkshire Playhouse brings this up-to-the-minute story to the Waterside Arts Centre with a multi-role playing cast of six.

In this case, the tale is about Alem Kelo, a refugee from Ethiopia and Eritrea, embroiled in civil war.

 

To save him, Alem’s father brings his 14-year-old son to England – and then goes home!

Fisayo Akinade’s portrayal of a boy alone in a strange country is remarkable.   He invites you to share the problems he faces.   He can’t understand why English teenagers don’t want to study or why he is bullied.

In an excellent portrayal, he has flashbacks to a life where children carry guns yet here, a supposedly safe country, they carry knives.

Fortunately, he is placed with a kindly foster family.  Becky Hindley, Dominic Gately  and Sarah Vezmar play a married couple and their daughter, Ruth who do their best to help him gain British nationality.     The nature of their job is, unfortunately, loving and losing.

Alem manages to make a good and faithful friend  in Mustapha ( Dwayne Scantlebury)

The ending, if not happy, offers hope.

If it achieves nothing else, this moving play will help you to understand that newcomers to our country are not just statistics but individuals with a tale to tell.

*   Refugee Boy is at Waterside Arts until Thursday, April 3rd.   For tickets, telephone 0161 912 5616.   Star rating: * * * *