S01 · E168

Let Them Know We're Here

When JOINT STOCK began their latest project four months ago, they had a writer but no script, actors but no roles. Borderline, by award-winning young play-wright Hanif Kureishi, finally emerged out of the remarkable working process unique to the Joint Stock company. Kureishi wanted to write a play about the problems faced by the Asian community in Britain, and his final script was the result of research, workshops and improvisation involving the whole company-writer, director and actors. They began the project in Southall just before the riots earlier this year, meeting the local people and finding out about their lives first hand. Arena was with them throughout that period, from original idea to the first programme.