The Jungle Tickets

The Jungle was a real place, a place where orphaned children did their best to survive and thousands of innocent refugees were left to linger while others argued their fate. This is an extraordinary play about an extraordinary place, which does full justice to the extraordinarily brave and resilient people who made it their home.

Even better, the Playhouse theatre is presenting the show in the round, which means it's on a circular stage surrounded by the audience. It's a brilliant way to create the kind of intimate staging a play like this deserves, and audiences love it. You'll actually take a seat at a stage representation of the lively Afghan Café found in the centre of the real Calais Jungle. Or you can choose to watch the action from the famous 'white cliffs of Dover', overlooking the performance.

The play is written by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, and shares a series of beautiful stories full of hope despite the terrible situation the people were in, their suffering, their loneliness, their homesickness, and the fact that they had no idea if they would ever be able to leave The Jungle and make a fresh start.

You'll experience tales of loss and fear, but also stories rich in community and hope, tales about the camp's creation and eventual destruction, all intense, moving and uplifting. The Financial Times gives it five stars, saying it is “An immersive, powerful experience, a deeply moving piece of theatre.” The Independent says it's “Beautifully orchestrated. Wonderfully humane and illuminating.” The Sunday Times describes it as “A significant event in which theatre shakes hands with the world” and The Guardian comments, “An extraordinarily effective piece of theatre. It celebrates the human capacity to build something out of nothing, to work together and try to make a difference.”

If there was ever a show that demonstrated the sheer bravery and strength of human resilience, this is it. Because it's set in the round you'll catch glimpses of action and hear snatches of conversation, just like real life. You might not see all the actors at all times, but as the cast moves around the 'cafe', cliffs and audience, your theatrical experience is enhanced to an amazing degree. You'll feel like you're actually there.

Who is this show for?
Because of the themes it examines, this show is probably most suited to people aged over sixteen.