Dear Home Office: Still Pending

2017-18

Kareem’s settled in London, but the sudden arrival of his destitute brother forces him to re-navigate the system. Now 18 and independent, but with no refugee status, Elgi tries to stay optimistic despite his college prospects stalling. Failed asylum seeker Akram embarks on a stressful appeal until a chance connection might just be the thing that saves him. Stardom beckons for Filmon who is courted by TV producers – but is his face ‘refugee’ enough?

Created in partnership with Afghan Association Paiwand. Funded by Arts Council England with additional funds from the John Lyons Charity School Holiday Fund and LUSH Charity Pots.

Written by Dawn Harrison and Rosanna Jahangard with the company

Starring

Abdul Hadi Pardis
Arjan Rrukaj
Awet Mohamed
Emirjon Hoxhaj
Faheem Azimi 
Goitom Fesshaye
Jordy Duffy
Kate Duffy-Syedi
Mohamed Shuuriye Muumin
Sied Mohamedali
Syed Haleem Najibi 
Tewodros Aregawe
Waheed Wafa

praise for Dear Home Office: Still Pending

★★★★ ‘An intimate and subtly poignant story told by those who rarely get their voices heard.’ Broadway Baby

★★★★ ‘Intimate, naturalistic, and with an agenda only to educate, this piece shows the everyday realities of coming of age in an uncertain homeland with grace, humour, and truth… By not aiming to elicit any audience response, it strengthens their connection to the material and therefore the overall impact of the narratives… By refusing to sensationalise the underage refugees’ struggles, Phosphoros Theatre strengthens its credentials and impact.’ Theatre Bubble

‘Dear Home Office: Still Pending is fast-paced, witty and thoroughly entertaining while also being painfully real. It’s the authenticity in every element of the play that makes it so powerful. It leaves you far more informed about asylum-seekers than months of news coverage possibly could.’ Morning Star

‘This play is as emotive as it is educational…Phosphoros are a promising and unique theatre company who have crucial stories to tell. Their work on Dear Home Office: Still Pending is imaginative and bold. I hope to see them returning with more plays in future as they inevitably grow.’ A Younger Theatre

performed at

Refugee Week (Southbank Centre), London
Pegasus Theatre, Oxford
South Street Arts Centre, Reading
Bunker Theatre, London
Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh
Pleasance Theatre, London
London Migration Film Festival
Bunker Theatre, London
Wickham Theatre, Bristol