From a war-torn African state to conflict in a British Detention Centre, The Bogus Woman is a multi-voiced solo production following the journey of young African poet and journalist seeking asylum. Researched with asylum seekers from Campsfield and Tinsley House Detention Centres.

“so meticulously well done, so superbly performed by Noma Dumezweni and so manifestly based on the indefensible facts about what is happening in British detention centres now, that even the most dedicated reactionary would find if difficult to turn away in indifference. This a beautifully crafted work, designed to make British people feel sick with shame at what is being done in our name; and by God it succeeds” - The Scotsman (Fringe First Award)

Author's Note

I knew about the work of The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. Coincidentally, at the same time as Lisa Goldman asked me to write a short piece for the Red Room’s Seeing Red season at BAC, I attended one of their awareness-raising events. At about the same time, I saw the dramatic protest on TV of the detainees at Campsfield.

For the short piece that I wrote for the Red Room, I read hundreds of stories of refugees seeking asylum in this country; the Refugee Council provided me with some of the source material. All of these were sad, but some were sickening, so horrifying as to be almost unreadable. "Inspired" by these terrible stories, I created my story of The Bogus Woman. It is more shocking than some and less shocking than others.

I researched Campsfield with the help of the Campaign to Close Campsfield Detention Centre in Oxford. They put me in touch with a young man who was detained in Campsfield at the time of the protest and was unfortunate enough to be one of the nine black men charged with causing riot and affray, who became known as the Campsfield Nine. My research was partly in the aftermath of the protest and the draconian measures then pursued, and in the run up to the trial. There are so many different stories that come out of the protest that the transcript of the trial of the Campsfield Nine was indispensable in giving me an insight into the events. Throughout the process of research, I simply could not believe what I was hearing. I could not believe that the violation of human rights of vulnerable people was happening in England in 1997 (outside Oxford no less) and more shocking still in the first year under a Labour government for which I had waited 18 years! I wrote my play before xenophobia hit the headlines. I have written it because I hope it will give people an insight into what it can really be like to seek asylum in this country. I also hope it may change minds.

“Stunningly performed by Noma Dumezweni…..a powerful, passionate committed piece of theatre that if seen widely enough might change hearts and minds. If I were Greg Dyke, I would put it on straight on BBC TV and invite Jack Straw to respond in the course of a properly focused rational debate” - Michael Billington / The Guardian

The Bogus Woman was a critical success at the Traverse, Bush and on national and international tour. It was awarded a Fringe First and short listed for an Emma; the performer Noma Dumezweni received a Manchester Evening News Award and Kay Adshead was runner up for a Susan Blackburn Award. The same team worked with Catherine Bailey Ltd to turn the Bogus Woman into a Radio 3 Sunday play.

Production Photography Sean Patterson

Publicity Photography Naneen Rossi

The Bogus Woman is published by Oberon Books ISBN 1840022094

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