The Washing Line of Wishes
The Washing Line of Wishes is the new drama project that will be touring Scottish schools in early 2004.
A group of asylum seekers and refugees who currently live in Glasgow volunteered to devise the performance piece, which explores some of the issues that affect their everyday lives. The drama project is a new Scottish Refugee Council initiative, funded by the Diana, Princess of Wales Trust. It is led by drama development worker Louise Irwin.
'The story follows Sam and Annie. They live in a tree house in a forest. The residents of the nearby village are threatened by these new arrivals and create elaborate myths and rumours about the mysterious pair until one day someone makes contact...'
The drama challenges discrimination and stereotyping. It examines issues of exclusion and loneliness. It encourages the audience to question their own preconceptions about what it means to be a refugee.
Performances are followed by a workshop that investigates the issues raised through participatory drama. These workshops are led by Louise Irwin and some of the performers.
Louise Irwin has worked as a performer and community artist for over 10 years, initially with youth groups and young people on several drama projects. She spent many years with Birds of Paradise Theatre Company working with people with physical disabilities. Louise's current role as drama development worker at the Scottish Refugee Council is a new post in which she brings together members of the refugee community and facilitates group participation.
About the Scottish Refugee Council
The Scottish Refugee Council was founded in 1985 to provide advice and assistance to individuals who are forced to leave their own country and seek protection in Scotland. It has evolved over the last 18 years and is the only independent professional agency in Scotland dedicated to refugee and asylum issues.
'There are approximately 12,000 asylum seekers and refugees currently living in Scotland: a fairly small proportion of a population of over five million. Yet these people seem to be huge news: every day the newspapers are full of articles, letters, columns and "facts" about them. Most of the information we receive about refugees is biased reporting, often pandering to racist prejudices, dehumanising the individuals involved.'
Scottish Refugee Council
The Washing Line of Wishes
The aim of The Washing Line of Wishes is to raise awareness and to begin to develop an understanding in schools about refugees, racial harassment, racial discrimination and human rights.
Through the use of volunteers who are willing to share their own stories and experiences through drama and discussion, young people can be shown the human reality behind the news stories.
The performers in The Washing Line of Wishes come from all over the world: Iran, Turkey, Russia, Central Africa, Kosovo... They range in ages from 17 to 45 years old and bring a wealth of talent to the group including musical composition, traditional dancing, break dancing, rapping, painting and singing.
Louise says: 'We all enjoy doing drama. It improves the performers' English, gives them confidence, a platform for expression and an opportunity to develop their own interests and talents. Ultimately my aim is to integrate my clients into the mainstream arts community and develop and encourage their right to participate in and enjoy the arts.'
The target audience
In this first pilot year the aim is to visit between six and 10 Glasgow secondary schools, targeting schools that do not have significant numbers of pupils from asylum-seeking families. The target age group is 14-16-year-olds.
It is hoped that after the initial tour it will be possible to expand on the target audience with further touring and/or a video of 'The Washing Line of Wishes'.
Current plans are for further performances of The Washing Line of Wishes during Refugee Week 2004 14-20 June. Please contact Louise Irwin for more details and information on how to book a performance.
PDF file: Drama project newsletter (549 KB)
The Scottish Refugee Council drama project newsletter has more information about The Washing Line of Wishes play and The Washing Line of Welcomes project which encourages schools to participate in Refugee Week.
Public performances
There were two public performances of The Washing Line of Wishes on 22 March at the GilmorehillG12 Theatre, Glasgow.
An extract from The Washing Line of Wishes was performed at the Anti-Sectarianism in Scotland - Working with Young People Conference on Monday 26 April 2004 at West Park Conference Centre, Dundee.
Contact details:
Louise Irwin
Drama Development Worker
Scottish Refugee Council
5 Cadogan Square, Glasgow, G2 7PH
We will be adding further information to this feature when it is available.
Many thanks to Louise Irwin and the Scottish Refugee Council. Photography by Joe McGill.