Christine Rose

The experience of bringing Sanctuary to life at The Hope Theatre has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the first read-through to our opening night, this journey has been filled with challenges, triumphs, and unforgettable moments. And now, as we near the end of our run, I want to reflect on what this production has meant to me and share some of the incredible highlights so far.

Two sold-out performances this week have shown me just how deeply Sanctuary resonates with audiences. Seeing the theatre packed with people engaging with the story I wrote has been both humbling and exhilarating. The audience reactions have been incredible—people leaving the theatre visibly moved, sharing their thoughts about how the play opened their eyes to the dangers of extremism and division. Here are some quotes from audience members:

• “The play is moving and meaningful – never seen anything so ‘current’”
• “I was captivated the entire time and really believed both characters”
• “It was a thought-provoking show. It pulled you in from the start and kept you engaged throughout!”
• “The play was well-written, emotive, funny, poignant”
• “It was the best thing I’ve seen in a while.”
• “Fearless and compelling – it’s the gut punch theater needs right now.”
• “Incredible piece, especially if anyone really wants to understand the actual state of things at the moment over there…and what possibly could come”
• “It was a thought-provoking show. It pulled you in from the start and kept you engaged throughout.”

Press night was last night, so we’re expecting some reviews today. If the chatter last night after the show is any indication, we should be getting some nice reviews. One reviewer from Theatre & Tonight said in an Instagram post, “What a powerful treat to be able to attend press night for @sanctuaryplay at @thehopetheatre tonight.”

This week, I also had the opportunity to discuss Sanctuary in interviews with Green Room Reviews and London Playwrights podcast. Sharing the play’s journey, themes, and personal significance with these platforms was a wonderful chance to connect with audiences beyond the theatre. It’s been exciting to see the story resonate not only on stage but also in conversations about its relevance and the vital questions it raises.

But we’re not done yet! There are still three more performances to go—tonight, tomorrow night, and Saturday night—and tickets are still available. If you’ve been considering coming to see Sanctuary, now’s your chance.

The Hope Theatre is an intimate space, and its atmosphere has been perfect for this story of tension, survival, and fractured friendship. Every night, the energy between the audience and the performers feels electric, and I would love for you to be part of it before we close.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Sanctuary so far. Whether you’ve come to see the play, donated to the Crowdfunder, shared a post, or sent words of encouragement, it has meant the world to me. I hope to see some of you in the audience this week as we close out this unforgettable run.

Tickets can be booked via The Hope Theatre’s website—don’t miss your chance to experience Sanctuary.