Review: Safe Haven (Arcola Theatre)

Review by Heva Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tackling humanitarian morality and what it means to have to take up action fast, former diplomat, journalist and aid worker Chris Bowers premieres his debut play at the Arcola Theatre. Safe Haven is a political and historical exploration of the real-life events, that led to a relief effort to protect hundreds of thousands of lives.

Set in 1991, the play explores the diplomatic mission ‘Operation Safe Haven,’ which was crucial in preventing mass starvation and death, when two million Kurds were forced to flee Iraqi forces. Following the Gulf War, in a hope to escape the government of Saddam Hussein, thousands of Kurdish became stranded on the freezing mountains along the Iraq-Turkey border. A vital pocket of history - a warning to these precedented times - but does this play hit the nail on the head with all its choices, or do some things go overlooked when retelling this harrowing passage of time?

On one hand this play does an excellent job at bringing to the forefront a piece of history that is not widely represented. In all that is happening today, and with many alive to remember the events of 1991, it is a warning to us all and a plea that we should remember the past, and most importantly learn from it. However, on the other hand, I would argue there is room to give this story more of the true depth it deserves.

Let’s cut to the chase, whether you are well versed in your history or not, it is obvious that at the core of this story should be, the real people who suffered enormously and the real-life stories of those who underwent such an horrific loss. Whilst it is clear the play attempts to speak through many lenses, giving a voice to many, unfortunately, this makes the focus at times feel a little too far spread.

Ultimately, it cannot go unfelt that there is an element of the ‘white saviour’ trope that sits uncomfortably in the driver’s seat. Advertised as the operation that ‘prevents a genocide’ and with the main thread of the story focusing on the diplomats who push the operation through, it feels like a missed opportunity to put the focal voice with the Kurdish people. Not only that, but on the 28th of February 2013, a unanimous vote was taken before the British parliament to finally formally recognise that the crime of genocide was committed against Iraqi-Turks. Perhaps when we remember ‘Operation Safe Haven’ we are misjudged to suggest it ‘prevented a genocide,’ when one had already taken place; and instead look upon it as the desperately needed prevention of further killing, in a time where seriously violent and awful things had already happened to the Kurdish people.

That being said, does this play harbour a thought-provoking message of ‘take action’? Absolutely. Bowers prevails an uplifting message to act when you can, as soon as you can, and to not shy away from moral responsibility - no matter who in government you may be at risk of upsetting. He has done well to take such a complex matter and bring it to stage, covering as many viewpoints as he has. It is certain that the Kurdish story has been taken seriously and handled with empathy, and the story of the diplomats behind ‘Operation Safe Haven’ should be remembered - as it is clear their work did save lives - but perhaps they should be the subplot rather than the A. For example, in my eyes a more suitable narrator to open the show would be the Kurdish refugee who fought his way to the attention of Margaret Thatcher, rather than the caucasian diplomat who takes centre stage.

Mazlum Gül, who plays Dlawer and Al-Tikriti, gives a passionate performance that holds gravity and emotional depth. This play is undeniably doing something right if I am leaving the theatre wanting more, and Gül inspires a desire for more in his portrayal of Kurdish refugees in the UK, who carefully choreographed a high-profile protest and got the attention of Margaret Thatcher. This briefly reflects the importance of protest in a time where our rights to protest are being hung on a thread- and I would love more. Other stand out performances are Lisa Zahra and Stephen Cavanagh, who multi-roll with clear precision and bring characters to life full of energy.

This play walks the difficult tightrope of finding light moments in a dark topic, director Mark Giesser does well to interweave scenes that jump from UK to the mountains and back again with building intensity, though there are some attempts at comedic moments that are slightly miscalculated. It’s the light, throwaway comedy at the most climactic moments, turning our heads again to the white characters instead of really pushing to pull on our heart strings, which at times diminishes the core values of the piece.

Whilst the set design and staging by Jida Akil is excellent - and perhaps also a standout feature of the play - with fractured back cloths to enable splintered projections and a soil-soaked floor that creates an intriguing atmosphere - as a production in general this play could have taken more risk to create an atmosphere that truly embodies the depth of the story being represented. There is an opportunity to further open the eyes of the audience and educate through making the audience feel, hold up the mirror and sincerely pull us into more of an understanding of what the Kurdish people went through.

Upon leaving the theatre, I was drawn back to a fundamental question, ‘Who is this play really for?’ I am by no means a historian, and Bowers clearly has life experiences far from my own, and I am grateful for his sharing of them in this form. This play aims to shed light on a part of history that shows us that we should continue to stand up against violence and have a responsibility to do so. Can this play go further? Yes. Should it? Yes, because it begins to educate, it warns, it remembers. Perhaps the start of something very exciting – an interesting, insightful voice, brought together well with a standout design team and exciting cast - but just not necessarily told by the most important voice in the room.

Safe Haven plays at the Arcola Theatre until February 7th

For tickets and information visit https://www.arcolatheatre.com/event/safe-haven/

Photos by Ikin Yum