Christine Rose

As we inch closer to Sanctuary‘s debut at The Hope Theatre in London, the world outside the theatre feels increasingly like the one within it. What’s happening in the United States right now—the deepening divisions, the rise of extremist ideologies, the alarming resurgence of white supremacy and misogyny—makes Sanctuary a more urgent story than I even imagined when I wrote it.

Sanctuary is set in a dystopian world where the encroaching forces of fascism and male violence are challenging our most fundamental beliefs about freedom, compassion, and justice. Unfortunately, this isn’t as far-fetched as it might sound. Every day, we’re seeing echoes of Sanctuary in the headlines: racist rhetoric and targeted terrorism, attempts to frighten women, and fear of violent clashes spurred by racial and ideological divisions. It’s a reminder that the world I wrote about is much closer to reality than we’d like to admit.

Through Sanctuary, I hope to offer a lens through which we can examine these issues. It’s a play that doesn’t shy away from tough questions about personal responsibility and moral courage. How do we react when our rights are threatened? How do we stay human when everything around us feels inhumane? In Sanctuary, two old friends with vastly different ideologies—Cassie, a woman desperately seeking refuge, and Amelia, a radical right-wing follower—are forced to face these questions in the starkest possible terms.

What’s unfolding in the U.S. is a powerful reminder of why we must confront these difficult conversations, and I hope Sanctuary provides a space to do that. I want audiences to leave the theatre thinking about the consequences of unchecked extremism and what we stand to lose if we let compassion slip away.

If you’re as concerned as I am about the world we’re creating, I invite you to experience Sanctuary. This is more than just a play—it’s a call to examine the forces shaping our lives and to stand up for the values that make us human.

If you’re in or near London, please consider buying tickets to see Sanctuary at The Hope Theatre in Islington between the 26th and 30th of November. If you can’t make it, please consider donating to our Crowdfunder campaign to ensure the cast and crew get paid Equity wages.

Thank you for your support, and I look forward to seeing you at the theatre. Let’s bring this story to life and, together, ignite a conversation that needs to be had.