A freight container, somewhere in Europe. Inside are five people with one common aim: to reach England and start a new life. Can they trust the agent to get them there? Can they rely on each other? And how far will each of them go to get what they want?
The Container, by Clare Bayley, tells the story of a group of asylum seekers being smuggled across Europe inside a shipping container, seeking refuge in England. This production, directed by Tom Wright, was captured by Digital Theatre live inside a real shipping container parked outside London’s Young Vic Theatre.
A harrowing, intense drama about people-trafficking, set inside a container lorry.
AWARDS
Fringe First Award for outstanding new writing on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award 2007
‘The Container is one of those plays which cannot be enjoyed or viewed as an evening’s entertainment, something to do before heading off to other social engagements (this piece is only an hour long). To attach such words to this sort of experience-driven theatre would severely underestimate the response to what the piece is all about. This is one of those plays which is necessary.’
★★★★
What's On Stage
'riveting, eloquent drama'
★★★★
The Observer
'devastating... dramatises the terrifying experience [of illegal migration] as one of the key journeys of our time... electrifying drama' .
★★★★
Scotsman
Clare Bayley's excellent play deserves its Amnesty Award as much as it does its Edinburgh Fringe First. In short, this is riveting, eloquent drama that also happens to illustrate the distressing realities of asylum seekers.
★★★★
The Guardian