We are thrilled to share the news that we are now an official Theatre of Sanctuary.
We are proud to be a Theatre of Sanctuary, a special place where everyone feels safe and welcome. On Sat 8 June, we are celebrating this with friends and guests from refugee and sanctuary seeking groups in Kirklees.
What Does Theatre of Sanctuary Mean?
We love our community and want everyone to feel welcome here. Being a Theatre of Sanctuary is a big part of that. For several years now we’ve been working closely with the Ukrainian British Friendship Group and IASK (Immigration and Asylum Support Kirklees).
Our New Project
Our big news is that we have a brand-new project with IASK. Using funding from Creative Minds, we have employed two artists to work over the next year with people coming to IASK’s new Welcome Clubs. The first artist is Rachael Gorton. She is a visual artist and worked previously on our Sharing Stories Standing Strong project so we know she is great at working with people and drawing out their creativity and confidence. The second artist is musician Rob Crisp. He is joining us for the first time but has a wealth of experience of music-making with people in the local community through his work with Hoot Creative Arts. Rob will be working alongside people to write song lyrics and create new songs.
The whole project is about improving well-being, creativity and a sense of belonging. The idea of using visual art and music was chosen by the IASK team as they are art forms that cross cultures and languages. Rachael has already started her sessions and we look forward to seeing what is created.
In fact, visual art has been a big part of our offer to IASK. Our Resident Artists Jane Wilson and Barbara Hellowell have been visiting IASK’s drop in sessions at the Quaker Meeting House in Paddock. They have had many moving and fabulous moments working alongside people facing very challenging situations.
Ukrainian British Friendship Group
The Ukrainian British Friendship Group continues to go from strength to strength and fills our theatre with joy and creativity every Saturday. We’ve been a home to the group since Autumn 2022 and there can be up to 50 children and adults in our building each week. Led by the talented Natalia Mirkun and a dedicated group of volunteers they join in anything from dance and drama to crafts, yoga, IT skills and English lessons. We also host their cultural celebration performances in our beautiful Grade II* listed building. In the past six months, we've hosted Christmas and Easter celebrations, filling our Cellar Theatre and Courtyard with enthusiastic supporters.
Natalia Mikrun said "together we are one. We can change the world for the better together. Lawrence Batley Theatre is our Theatre of Sanctuary"
An Introduction to Pantomime
A highlight for us each year is inviting our groups to see the pantomime, thanks to the generous donors of our Christmas Heroes scheme. Introducing members of our groups, who haven't grown up in the UK, to the fun of pantomime is a joy we take very seriously. Before the groups see the show, they get to meet pantomime characters who teach them to cheer for the goodies and boo the baddies, so they get to join in with the rest of the audience. This December, we look forward to welcoming everyone to see Dick Whittington.
New Connections
We’re excited to expand our Theatre of Sanctuary connections. Soon, students from the English as a Second Language courses at Kirklees College, mainly refugees and asylum seekers, will tour our backstage and meet staff to learn about volunteering opportunities. We are confident that this welcome will encourage them to see Lawrence Batley Theatre as their place in the future.
On Our Stage
On our Main Stage, we hosted Paper Birds Theatre with their show Feel Me. Renowned for productions based on real-life experiences, Paper Birds used live performance, film, projection, dance, and music to depict the refugee experience. The show illustrated the journey for safety and acceptance despite obstacles like border crossings and endless paperwork. They also offered workshops, which Newsome Academy attended. Feedback from the school highlighted it as a "superb and thought-provoking experience that involved some deep-thinking from our students on the way home."
Thank You to Everyone Who Makes This Work Possible
We are proud to be a creative home for all at Lawrence Batley Theatre. We have welcomed asylum seekers and refugees into our space with open arms. Thanks to the incredible support of our funders and generous donors, we can create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Your contributions help us create a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. We remain dedicated to bringing people together through the power of connection, creativity, and community.
Thank you for being part of our journey and helping us to make a difference in Huddersfield.
