“Stage, Screen and Social Change!”
On the last Sunday in June, Compass Collective welcomed Benedict Cumberbatch, Lennie James, Indira Varma, Juliet Stevenson and Toby Jones to the Barbican’s iconic Cinema 1 for an evening of compelling conversations in support of its work.
I’ve volunteered as a photographer with Compass Collective since it began photographing the work that they do with refugees and asylum seekers. For this event I was seated at the front of the theatre beside the actors as they rotated on and off stage.
The five actors interviewed one another about their careers and the issues closest to them, while also taking quickfire questions from the audience. Their conversations were inspiring and thought-provoking, filled with heartfelt stories and plenty of humour.
Amidst the laughs, the evening was a poignant reminder of the importance of choosing solidarity over silence, that the arts have the power to shape change, and that stories can help us to build a more hopeful future.
Compass Collective’s Artistic Director, Leah, and Youth Board Co-Chair, Frank, also spoke about the work and why it matters.
Compass Collective are an arts charity supporting young refugees and asylum seekers through creative projects and arts-led professional development programmes.
