Hopefool, a new play aimed at young people and adults, will be performed at Bridport Town Hall on July 29.

Hopefool is staged by Dorset-based Vita Nova's Celeste theatre group, which consists of refugees, together with people with English as a second language and individuals in addiction recovery. 

Exploring themes of peace, love and acceptance, the play allows audiences to glimpse what it means to become a refugee, losing all that is familiar and being thrown into chilling situations, despite your desperate attempts to cling onto a 'normal life'. 

The play's lead actors can draw on their first-hand experience being forced to leave their homelands: Hope is, played by Olena Rohovska from Ukraine; Omid (Persian for hope) is Khabib Lutfullah Niazi from Afghanistan; and The Fool, Jamal Barrie, is from Sierra Leone.

Dr Sharon Coyne, who wrote and directed the play, said: "Hopefool addresses inequality and the struggles of refugees. This drama is the beginning of a discussion, a dialogue not just about the issue of refugees, but also the significance of borders and how immigration has impacted this country." 

Olena, aged 21, who plays Hope, was studying at university in Lviv when Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022. She still finds it difficult putting into words the shock she felt receiving the phone call from her brother warning her that war had broken out.

"In that moment my life changed," she said.

"I was on the western side [of Ukraine], but listening to the thud – thud – thud of bombs. It was so frightening. So unreal."

Arriving in the UK 12 months ago, Olena and her mother, Olha, were welcomed by a sponsor family in Dorset.

"Everyone has been so kind," she said. "But it's hard worrying about friends and family in Ukraine. Not knowing what will happen."

Olena's answer to feeling constantly anxious has been to keep herself busy, working, studying, playing music – and joining the Celeste drama company. 

Dr Coyne added: "Hopefool is a play for young people and adults that promotes peace in a time of conflict. Young people witnessing the horror of war from around the world, can be left feeling helpless – without hope. 

 "Hopefool reminds us that we do have a voice and can make a difference however small in promoting unity and love." 

"I am proud to see cast members who have English sometimes as a second, third or fourth language, challenging themselves, learning together, giving one another strength. Every day they prove that cooperation is possible." 

 Vita Nova is working in partnership with DEED, an organisation that promotes global education and learning in Dorset, Hampshire and South Wiltshire.

The Bridport performance of Hopefool will be staged in the town hall on Saturday, July 29 at 6.30pm. For more information, visit https://vitanova.co.uk/