Ahead of press night for Little Brother, Timberlake Wertenbaker, who adapted the original book for stage, made the papers headlines after the Home Office wrote to Jermyn Street Theatre saying that his visa to enter the country was denied and he wouldn’t be allowed to attend press nice. However, this decision was overturned and Wertenbaker was allowed to come to England and be there.

The original story was written by Amets Arzallus Antia and Ibrahima Balde. The story of Little Brother is based upon the true story of Ibrahima Balde, played by Blair Gyabaah, and his firsthand experience of making the journey across Africa in an attempt to find his brother and return home to be with his Mother and siblings.

The story is one that we see appear daily in our newsfeeds, and another migrant boat full of people has landed on the coastline. Not all will have made it, but those who do are searching for a better life and are probably unprepared for the paperwork and reception that awaits them on their arrival.

Balde is desperate to find his little brother who last called the family home to say he was in Libya awaiting to catch a boat to Europe. Balde promised to always look after his brother and sets out from his Mother to him at any cost.

The journey from Ghana across to West Attica is treacherous, full of corruption from those with some power and a gun and leaves a physical toll on Balde’s body. His journey meets many others along the way. All have their reasons to be trying to escape to a better life and others are happy to end their days in the desert if it means never having to be in an arranged marriage.

The narrative switches between the characters’ dialogues to Balde’s monologues, recalling his journey, and introduces the audience to some of the people he met along the way. The cast of five have a superb stage rapport and never falter once during the ninety minutes. If you want to find out more about what happened to Ibrahima, then I urge you to book a ticket and watch Little Brother.

Little Brother is a fine example of what Fringe Theatre should be staging. It challenges what our moral compasses are often set to and evokes a range of emotions as you’re by his side in the performance every step of the way. Opening your eyes to the truth behind the news headlines reporting on the “boat immigrants”.

Little Brother is a story about survival, desperation and family ties. Nobody truly knows how much they would risk until there wasn’t another option.

For more information about Little Brother and future productions at Jermyn Street Theatre please use the link below.

Five Stars.

JST Homepage

Little Brother: An Odyssey to Europe https://g.co/kgs/p1BT4gY