Tender 

Tender. A word for young
Soft. Not fully made
Too young to leave our families
But we did. 

A group of friends gather in class. Whispers spread that a student is missing. Messages are sent and stay unanswered.  A birthday card arrives. In a dusty market, a girl weighs her mother’s gold jewellery to sell. 

‘Tender’ draws on the personal narratives of its company of refugee actors. With no safety net, no right to work and debts to pay, what does it mean to build a future?  When it’s a choice between going to college or earning money, what gives? How much human potential is compromised by Britain’s ever-tightening hostile environment?  This new play from Phosphoros Theatre encapsulates the radical joy and skilful storytelling that sees the company resist dominant and reductive media headlines. Vibrant, revealing, curious and bold, ‘Tender’ shines a light on one of the most pressing issues of our time.

As part of this tour we will run drama workshops for refugee young people living in Derby, Manchester and London. 

Written by Dawn Harrison, in collaboration with the company 

Performances

Derby Theatre, 29 April - 1 May
HOME (Manchester), 9 - 11 May
Rich Mix (London), 17 - 19 May

Director: Pavlos Christodoulou 
Producer: Juliet Styles
Head of Community Engagement: Kate Duffy-Syedi
Designer: Jida Akil 
Lighting Design: K.J.
Creative Access Worker: Lauren Phillips
Stage Manager: Andy Cook

Production

Photos by Fiona Winning

Rehearsals

Photos by Jida Akil

Cast

Photos by Harmit Kambo