How To Break Out Of A Detention Centre plays at the Riverside Studios

Internalised racism, resistance and white guilt are explored in this compelling new production from BÉZNĂ Theatre and Romanian theatre company Giuvlipen.

The multilingual, form-bending work centres the near-invisible female experience in British immigration detention in the UK.

It runs from February 28 – March 8 at Riverside Studios in Queen Caroline Street.

Performed in five languages (Romanian, Romani, Arabic, French and English) and inspired by real stories of migrants living in the UK from Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Cameroon and Sudan, How To Break Out Of A Detention Centre is an exercise in solidarity and resistance.

It follows the lives of four women working in and experiencing detention in the UK.

Faiza battles suicidal ideation after miscarrying in detention, Maria is fighting to be reunited with her children, Elena struggles with internalised racism and Kelly wavers between her duty as Detention Custody Officer & her desire to resist.

The show looks at the actions of the individual, alongside actions of the state, the role of the detention centre and the staff who work there, the relationships between the women – as mothers, lovers and co-workers, whilst asking the audience to question their role as residents in the UK.

Picture: Mihaela Drăgan from Giuvlipen Picture: Bezna Theatre