An award-winning play by a Brondesbury playwright who was inspired by the ongoing migrant crisis and the lives of refugees is being staged.
Matilda Velevitch, 45, author of Three Mothers, was struck by the portrayal of the 2015 migrant crisis in the media, but the disconnection from it in every day life.
Her play, which won the IOM Arts Council 2017 prize, spans 60 years and follows the stories of three women, exploring the theme of migration and women moving forward with their lives.
Talking about inspiration for the play which will run at Waterloo East Theatre, Mrs Velevitch, a mother-of-two, said: “You swallow all the numbers and go on with your life. We have become disconnected from a lot, but the connection we all have is a mother and family.
“There are refugee families at my children’s school and the children have settled in and started a new life. But then people forget it’s hard afterwards. Logistics are sorted and boxes have been ticked but then they have to get out there and function.”
Highlighting Brent as one of the most culturally diverse boroughs in Britain, with people from black, Asian
and minority ethnic backgrounds making up 64 per cent of the population, Mrs Velevitch champions the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn High Road.
She said its drama workshops for adolescent children from refugee backgrounds helps with integration into the community. Platforma, an arts and refugee network, has held events at the venue to help new English speakers meet other migrants.
She said: “I was taken by how easy it is to communicate with somebody who does not speak English through these drama workshops at The Tricycle. Theatre is making a big push for a diverse audience and Tricycle does it well.”
Mrs Velevitch is also working on a four-part TV drama, “1974”, about a Cypriot child illegally taken by a British couple when they fled Cyprus during the 1974 invasion.
Three Mothers is at Waterloo East Theatre from Oct 31 - Nov 12. Entry is £10. Visit waterlooeast.co.uk
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