Synopsis

A bustling immigration detention center in England, where lives hang in the balance.

Bashir, a Somali teenager facing deportation, and Kola, a British youth in a halfway house, form an unlikely friendship as they navigate the complexities of immigration, identity, and belonging. Meanwhile, Abiola in Nigeria helps Femi obtain false documents to enter the UK illegally, while immigration officer Lisa grapples with the human cost of enforcing border policies.

This powerful drama explores the tangled web of immigration policy, cultural identity, and the pursuit of a better life. Through interconnected stories spanning continents, De-lahay examines the harsh realities faced by immigrants and the ethical dilemmas confronting those on both sides of the system. With empathy and nuance, the play challenges notions of citizenship, family, and what it truly means to call a place home. “Routes” offers a timely and deeply human look at the global immigration crisis, forcing audiences to confront difficult questions about justice, compassion, and where we draw the lines that separate us.