Durham Fringe Festival 2024
Durham: Songs of Sanctuary
Citizen Songwriters
Genre: Community Theatre, Music, Musical Stories, World Music
Venue: Palace Green Stretch Tent
Festival: Durham Fringe Festival
Low Down
“Citizen Songwriters is a social enterprise based in North East of England that brings people together through community songwriting workshops and performances. Citizen Songwriters aims to strengthen communities, support people who are socially isolated, break down barriers and enable individuals to discover their story and participate in the cultural life of their community.” This hour of songs fills every inch of the stretch tent with affiirming and heart-warming music, yet never straying from the themes of struggle and uncertainty that go with the journeys too many people take in search of a safe place to be. “An emotive and poignant show of original songs written and performed by those with experience of seeking sanctuary, linking the past with the present. Drawing on the North East’s rich history of offering sanctuary – from the arrival of an exiled monastic community seeking sanctuary from the Vikings to modern stories of fleeing the civil war in Syria – Stories of Sanctuary warmly invites you into the project that inspired infectious friendships as well as deeply beautiful songs.”
Review
Citizen Songwriters presented an evening of world music with strong roots in folk song and anthems, delivering rousing and heartfelt lyrics. The performance was unashamedly sentimental at times, yet its authenticity and sincerity carried it successfully. The central theme was a timeless message: even when we lose our physical possessions and our physical home, our soul can remain rich and at home with itself in deeper ways, often realised authentically when we are met with wamrth and welcome on our journey. Yet this message also emphasized the importance of offering a physical welcome to those seeking sanctuary. People in northern cities such as Newcastle and Sunderland (among, of course, many others, all over the world) have open their doors to refugees and this show itself is evidence of that.
The performance, which began during Refugee Week, culminated at the Durham Fringe. The melodies often felt rooted in the British folk tradition, blending uplifting, affirmative lyrics with sadder, darker material. These songs told the stories of those fleeing distant lands, such as Syria, and finding safety in the welcoming embrace of Northern England.
The conductor, who also sang, sometimes faced away from the audience, creating a slight conflict between her dual roles. Despite this, the performance took the audience on a profound journey, exploring the darker and deeper aspects of seeking refuge and the shattering experiences of those who flee danger for peace. Community is at the heart of the show creating a truly shared experience with its audience.
With a company of eleven performers on this occasion, the ensemble brought to life an ancient Syrian song, transporting the audience to the lands from which many people have fled. The narrative thread of the evening centered on the theme of sanctuary, explored through songs that were sometimes hymn-like or imbued with the mood of anthems.
The show avoided dark and cynical views, instead offering hopeful, affirmative songs. Poems turned into pieces such as “The Invite” from Newcastle, which added to the often evocative storytelling. The performance posed the poignant question: for many in privileged countries, “Where shall I go?” refers to a holiday or day trip, but for refugees, it is a desperate search for a place to call home, whether temporary or permanent.
In summary, Citizen Songwriters provided an evening of music that was both moving and thought-provoking, rooted in folk traditions but addressing contemporary issues of displacement and sanctuary. The performance was a fitting conclusion to their tour, offering a blend of hope, reflection, and a call for compassion and welcome.
