Details

National Alien Office is an example of how issues that are current in Britain are shared across Europe, and gives another perspective on 'Fortress Europe'. In an anonymous office, an immigration officer, Mr Positively Average, reruns his life up to the present, shocking, moment. He is 'a man whose conscience has slipped down around his ankles' in his insistence on sorting, judging and filtering his fellow man. Asha is the latest subject of his interrogation, his latest attempt to 'find the flaw in his story of escape from war, but their encounter proves to be fateful for both sides. National Alien Office presents two men from two cultures, giving two perspectives on the same events, translated into a rich poetic idiom by Anglo-Belgian poet and writer Anne-Marie Glasheen, and true to Cotton s non-naturalistic style in the original French. Adding another layer of richness to the story, Director Véronique Van Meerbeek will have live musicians (accordion and cello) on stage throughout, supporting the actors (American Michael Brown and British-Nigerian Nick Oshikanlu) in their interpretation of the emotional journey of the characters. The work of the Butoh-trained movement director, Frances Barbe, will also be in evidence in this detailed rendering of a deceptively simple text.

Cast/Performers

Michael Brown, Nick Oshikanlu, Adrienne Quartly (cello), Karine Chevalier (accordionist)

Creatives/Company

Author: Stanislas Cotton
Producer: Marianne Badrichani
Company: Fabrik-a-Brac
Translation: Anne-Marie Glasheen
Director(s): Veronique Van Meerbeek, Frances Barbe (movement), Adrienne Quartly (music)
Design: Giulia Campolmi
Lighting: Mischa Twitchin