This inventive production was an absolute treat. Set in the under-construction Stanley Arts Centre in Croydon, Journey of a Refugee creates an interactive promenade performance tackling challenging issues but targeted to young audiences. The refugee crisis isn’t a light topic for adults, much less 10 year olds, yet the creative staging making use of the construction site materials and absolutely brilliant lighting design, coupled with strong choreography, and an interactive gamified experience at the end, does just that.
The production doesn’t talk down to the youth audience; rather it simplifies complex concepts through movement. The children around me were rivete throughout; the production wisely chose when to move the audience, and how to do this, creating a seamless action — this physical movement and engagement was timed perfectly to keep the kids engaged but give them space to move and stretch.
I sincerely hope this delightful production is remounted so more can see it.