Podcast: Immigration, Refugees and Understanding

Mahad Ali on his play My Brother’s Keeper

Our latest guest on our Runn Radio show was Mahad Ali, who joined us to talk about his play My Brother’s Keeper. Based in a seaside town, two brothers find themselves living in a hotel whilst awaiting a decision on their refugee status. But it is not just a story about refugees, it is a story of love, pain and learning in building community. It’s certainly a timely play in today’s climate, even if Ali begun writing in back in 2016.

We discuss the play and its themes, discussing the issues facing both refugees and the towns that often find themselves hosting them. We also chat about Theatre503, and why we need more risk taking within theatre if we want to see it thrieve.

Mt Brother’s Keeper plays at Theatre503 from 14 Febraury to 4 March. Further information and bookings can be found here.

My Brother’s Keeper

Theatre503

14 February – 4 March 2023

Two refugee brothers. A small British town hostile to immigration. My Brother’s Keeper charts a story of love, pain and learning in building community.

Refugee brothers Aman and Hassan are dispersed to live in a British seaside town. In desperate need of business, hotelier Bill Bradley and his son Aidan agree to house them but face animosity from their community for doing so. As Aidan takes Aman under his wing and they draw ever closer, they soon learn the utopia they create for themselves in the hotel is no match for the real world and must confront the hostile climate they live in.

My Brother’s Keeper explores the politics of immigration, religion and sexuality as a small British town tries to find its place at a time of great change in the world.

Relentless Productions is a new theatre company founded by Layla Madanat & Mahad Ali. It aims to bring diverse stories to the stage that challenge, provoke thought and motivate action on issues pertinent to the times we live in. Whilst providing a platform for creative talent from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive.

Further information and bookings can be found here.