PRESS RELEASE /// FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE /// 13th APRIL 2012
RAPAR /// THE MANCHESTER-BASED HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION
Lydia and Bernard Must Stay Campaign
LYDIA BESONG'S NEW PLAY OPENS IN BURY AS APPEAL IS HEARD AT ASYLUM TRIBUNAL
· SUPPORTERS TO HOLD VIGIL OUTSIDE TRIBUNAL OFFICES – 9.30am Friday, April 20th, Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, Moseley Street, Manchester
Playwright Lydia Besong's new work, Down with the Dictator, will be performed in Greater Manchester for the first time on the same day as her asylum appeal hearing
The play, set in Cameroon, is at Bury Met Theatre on Friday, April 20th – earlier that day, Lydia, her husband Bernard and supporters will be at the Asylum and Immigration tribunal in Manchester for their asylum appeal. Supporters will hold a vigil outside the tribunal at 9.30 am.
Lydia and Bernard, both long standing human rights activists currently living in Bury, have fought a high profile campaign for asylum in the UK.
They were forced to flee Cameroon more than five years ago after they were both imprisoned, tortured and persecuted for their political activities as members of the SCNC, a peaceful organisation which campaigns for the independence of Southern Cameroon. While she was in prison, Lydia was raped by a uniformed guard.
Down with the Dictator explores themes of power, political corruption and censorship. It reminds us of the consequences this can have for people all over the world – and shows why so many people are forced to flee from oppressive regimes.
The play is directed by Magdalen Bartlett, it is produced by Manchester-based Afrocats and supported by Community Arts North West as part of their Exodus Refugee Arts programme.
Performances of the play in Greater Manchester are:
· Friday, April 20th - Bury Met Theatre, Bury. 7.30pm
· Saturday, April 28th – Zion ArtsTheatre, Hulme, Manchester. 7.30pm
· Saturday, May 5th – Holy Innocents Church, Fallowfield, Manchester. 7.30pm
· All performances will be followed by a post show discussion.
Lydia's previous play, How I Became An Asylum Seeker, focused on the experiences of women escaping persecution in their own countries and seeking asylum in the UK. The powerful production toured cities throughout the UK and was acclaimed by actor Juliet Stevenson who took part in an after play discussion at the performance in London.
English PEN, the organisation which campaigns for persecuted writers internationally, has supported Lydia and Bernard's campaign for the the last three years.
Leading writers, including former Children's Laureate and author of War Horse Michael Morpurgo, sent an Open Letter to The Guardian in support of Lydia - and high profile lawyers, including Baroness Helena Kennedy, sent a similar letter to The Times. Other supporters include Stockport-born writer and broadcaster Joan Bakewell, who now sits in the House of Lords, and the Bishop of Manchester.
At the recent Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression annual awards, Michael Morpurgo spoke about Lydia's story and her campaign to remain in the UK.
For more information, please contact Kath Grant -
phone: 07812471047 email: [email protected]
See here or more details about Lydia and Bernard's campaign
For more information about Lydia's play, please contact Katherine Rogers, Exodus Co-ordinator, Community Arts Northwest. 0161 234 2987 [email protected] www.can.uk.com
RAPAR /// THE MANCHESTER-BASED HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION
Lydia and Bernard Must Stay Campaign
LYDIA BESONG'S NEW PLAY OPENS IN BURY AS APPEAL IS HEARD AT ASYLUM TRIBUNAL
· SUPPORTERS TO HOLD VIGIL OUTSIDE TRIBUNAL OFFICES – 9.30am Friday, April 20th, Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, Moseley Street, Manchester
Playwright Lydia Besong's new work, Down with the Dictator, will be performed in Greater Manchester for the first time on the same day as her asylum appeal hearing
The play, set in Cameroon, is at Bury Met Theatre on Friday, April 20th – earlier that day, Lydia, her husband Bernard and supporters will be at the Asylum and Immigration tribunal in Manchester for their asylum appeal. Supporters will hold a vigil outside the tribunal at 9.30 am.
Lydia and Bernard, both long standing human rights activists currently living in Bury, have fought a high profile campaign for asylum in the UK.
They were forced to flee Cameroon more than five years ago after they were both imprisoned, tortured and persecuted for their political activities as members of the SCNC, a peaceful organisation which campaigns for the independence of Southern Cameroon. While she was in prison, Lydia was raped by a uniformed guard.
Down with the Dictator explores themes of power, political corruption and censorship. It reminds us of the consequences this can have for people all over the world – and shows why so many people are forced to flee from oppressive regimes.
The play is directed by Magdalen Bartlett, it is produced by Manchester-based Afrocats and supported by Community Arts North West as part of their Exodus Refugee Arts programme.
Performances of the play in Greater Manchester are:
· Friday, April 20th - Bury Met Theatre, Bury. 7.30pm
· Saturday, April 28th – Zion ArtsTheatre, Hulme, Manchester. 7.30pm
· Saturday, May 5th – Holy Innocents Church, Fallowfield, Manchester. 7.30pm
· All performances will be followed by a post show discussion.
Lydia's previous play, How I Became An Asylum Seeker, focused on the experiences of women escaping persecution in their own countries and seeking asylum in the UK. The powerful production toured cities throughout the UK and was acclaimed by actor Juliet Stevenson who took part in an after play discussion at the performance in London.
English PEN, the organisation which campaigns for persecuted writers internationally, has supported Lydia and Bernard's campaign for the the last three years.
Leading writers, including former Children's Laureate and author of War Horse Michael Morpurgo, sent an Open Letter to The Guardian in support of Lydia - and high profile lawyers, including Baroness Helena Kennedy, sent a similar letter to The Times. Other supporters include Stockport-born writer and broadcaster Joan Bakewell, who now sits in the House of Lords, and the Bishop of Manchester.
At the recent Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression annual awards, Michael Morpurgo spoke about Lydia's story and her campaign to remain in the UK.
For more information, please contact Kath Grant -
phone: 07812471047 email: [email protected]
See here or more details about Lydia and Bernard's campaign
For more information about Lydia's play, please contact Katherine Rogers, Exodus Co-ordinator, Community Arts Northwest. 0161 234 2987 [email protected] www.can.uk.com