"A fascinating and purposeful piece of theatre that’s full of humanity for its subjects. "
—The Reviews Hub

“Tragedy, love, hope ... but also laughs - there are moments of high comedy amidst the poignance.”
—HuffPost

Borderline is a satirical look at “The Jungle”— the unofficial refugee and migrant encampment in Calais, France – that was home to up to 10,000 people before its dismantlement by the French authorities in October 2016.

Directed by Sophie Besse, the tragicomedy is devised and performed by an ensemble of refugee and European performers. Tired of the negative perception of refugees and their personal tragedies, the team used humour as a tool to rewrite their narrative, to take you on a funny and poignant journey through their interactions with fellow refugees, well-meaning aid workers, human traffickers, and bureaucrats. 

After premiering in London in November 2016, Borderline toured internationally to Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and India, before the pandemic struck. The Fringe is proud to present the premiere of the digital version filmed in October 2021.

BIOGRAPHIES OF ARTISTS

PSYCHEdelight is a participatory Theatre Company of Sanctuary founded in 2011 by Sophie Besse, a playwright and theatre director trained in both drama and therapy. We celebrate diversity and promote integration by bringing marginalised communities and local people together through our performances and workshops. We create new work engaging those least involved in the arts, giving them an opportunity to express themselves and a platform to be heard. PSYCHEdelight has been an ITI UK approved company since 2019.

Download artist biographies

RELATION TO THE HELPERS

Borderline shows the sense of community in the Calais “Jungle”. Though people were fighting for a better future for themselves and their families, they still ended up helping each other. It also tackles how many people from all over the continent converged to offer help, but also how the place became the focus of an intense political debate across Europe on migration, identity, and to what extent wealthier countries should help those in need.

Borderline makes fun of “The Jungle”. It was the unofficial refugee and migrant camp in Calais, France. About 10,000 people stayed there. It was taken down by the French government in October 2016.

The director is Sophie Besse. A team of refugee and European performers created and performed it. They were tired of how people see refugees in a bad way. So they rewrite the stories of the refugee community in a funny way. 

They will tell you stories about meeting with other refugees, well-meaning aid workers, human traffickers, and civil servants.

Borderline first showed in London in November 2016. It was also shown in Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and India, before the pandemic happened. The Fringe is proud to present the first showing of the digital version filmed in October 2021.

BIOGRAPHIES OF ARTISTS

PSYCHEdelight is a participatory Theatre Company of Sanctuary founded in 2011 by Sophie Besse, a playwright and theatre director trained in both drama and therapy. We celebrate diversity and promote integration by bringing marginalised communities and local people together through our performances and workshops. We create new work engaging those least involved in the arts, giving them an opportunity to express themselves and a platform to be heard. PSYCHEdelight has been an ITI UK approved company since 2019.

Download artist biographies

RELATION TO THE HELPERS

Borderline shows the sense of community in the Calais “Jungle”. They helped each other even though they were all fighting for a better future. Many people from all over Europe offered help. However, the “Jungle” became the focus of an intense political debate. People disagreed about migration and identity. They also debated how much richer countries should help those in need.