Storyline

Kooti is a victim of human traffickers and Hassan has left home to find work in Europe. Vladimir’s hometown has been invaded and Illy has grown up under occupation. Andrew has a boring sales job in London and distributes food parcels for a charity at weekends. Asad has fled Afghanistan as an economic migrant and Elisha is a young political campaigner who feels she has no place in Iran. Each is hoping for a better life.

One Summer they find themselves in the camp among hundreds of others in difficult conditions. The local town-folk break in to protest and confront the refugees. Evangelists appear and try to convert the mainly Muslim residents. Mr. Fix It, the camp dealer, bribes the local Mayor to allow lorries through unchecked at the local port but attracts the attention of the security services when he starts a new line of business selling guns to undesirables. Soon the authorities intervene and the camp is scheduled for closure. Officials arrive to begin the deportation process but Hassan and Illy don’t want things to end that way. They decide to run for the coast and row across the sea to England. Kooti hears of the plan and at the last moment decides to join them . . .

Welcome to the Real World is a story of people from very different cultures who are thrown together and challenged by adversity. It tells of a crisis that has its roots in colonialism, corruption, corporate exploitation, and the incessant geo-political agendas of our time. Not the usual fare of a West-End musical, but a powerful genre of staged performance with songs that will stay with you for ever. We look forward to welcoming you to our world soon.