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An inspirational new play about the struggles and triumphs of lesbians and gay men who have fled to the UK from persecution.

What happens when they get to the country that they hope will offer refuge? Who is welcome, who is locked up, and who is deported?

You leave your own country in fear of your life. You come here to be free. But now you are friendless, penniless, jobless, and scared to present yourself to the Home Office, in case they don’t believe you – in case they send you back.

Based on interviews with LGBT asylum seekers, Rites of Passage shares the experiences of those who come to the UK from anti-LGBT countries where their lives are under threat. Real-life stories brought to the stage unveil the issues of those who come to the UK and often live under the radar, terrified of being forcefully returned to their country of origin.

Dramatically moving, Rites of Passage is written by Clare Summerskill (Once Upon a Lifetime and Gateway to Heaven). Artemis Theatre was founded by Clare and is committed to telling the stories of hidden and marginalised communities.

“Great play! The most powerful and accurate portrayal of LGBT asylum seeker stories I’ve ever watched.” UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group

Rites of Passage will tour nationally for six weeks from mid-May, premiering at Chelsea Theatre, London.

Clare will perform in it alongside members of her theatre company.

Previous productions by Artemis have received critical acclaim:

The New Statesman described Gateway to Heaven as “An immaculately performed play about the history of lesbians and gays, taken from the experiences and memories of ordinary people.” And Hearing Voices, based on the stories of mental health service users, was hailed by The Wolverhampton Express and Star, as “Sensitive subject is a triumph on stage! On the whole, a difficult piece to fault”.
TOUR DATES 2016
Weds 11th – Sat 14th May LONDON CHELSEA THEATRE 0207 352 1967
www.chelseatheatre.org.uk

Tues 17th May HUDDERSFIELD LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE 01484 430528
www.thelbt.org

Thurs 19th May LEICESTER THE Y, LEICESTER 0116 255 7066
www.ytheatre.co.uk

Tues 24th – Wed 25th May NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE PETER SARAH THEATRE,
NEWCASTLE COLLEGE
www. northern-pride.com/event/rightsofpassage

Fri 27th – Sat 28th May WOLVERHAMPTON ARENA THEATRE 01902 321 321
arena.wlv.ac.uk

Mon 30th May SHEFFIELD MERLIN THEATRE 07941 361510
www.cliffordevents.co.uk
www.friendsofedwardcarpenter.co.uk

Sat 4th June SALFORD THE LOWRY 0843 208 6010 thelowry.com/studio

Thurs 9th – Fri 10th June STOKE NEW VIC THEATRE 01782 717 962
www.newvictheatre.org.uk

Tues 14th June ENFIELD DUGDALE CENTRE 020 8807 6680 www.dugdalecentre.co.uk

Wed 15th June NORWICH THE GARAGE 01603 598646
www.thegarage.org.uk

Fri 17th June LIVERPOOL UNITY THEATRE 0151 709 4988
www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Supported by Arts Council England www.artemistheatre.co.uk
www.claresummerskill.co.uk

All inquiries to: Debbie at artemistheatre@gmail.com

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