Two lives. One past. A hundred years apart. A story that refuses to stay buried.

Berlin, 2022. Artur, a 19-year-old refugee, is stuck in a city that doesn’t feel like home - caught between worlds, between roles and haunted by the ghosts of his escape from the Syrian civil war.

When someone from that journey suddenly reappears, what begins as a joyful reunion soon becomes a reckoning with identity, memory and the question of how to be free.

From the deserts of 1915 to the chaos of today, Bones in the Desert  traces the long shadows of war and the lives it still shapes. With raw honesty and urgency, it confronts mental well-being, racism in contemporary Europe and the devastating cost of silence.

Written by British-Armenian playwright Joe Nerssessian, this powerful new play speaks directly to young adult audiences with heart, humour and an unflinching gaze. It’s about where we come from, who we carry with us and what it means to belong.

Presented in an immersive style with a pulsating contemporary soundtrack, Bones in the Desert is the latest production from Half Moon, the UK’s leading small-scale young people’s venue and touring company.

About the production

This is an immersive theatre experience where the audience stands and moves around in close proximity to other audience members and the actors. At times, the soundtrack will be loud and reflect sounds and noises depicting violence, protest and discrimination.

You’ll find further guidance on content here; please be aware that by reading this, elements of the plot may be revealed.

While we do our best to provide relevant info for audiences, shows in The Nest are often new or still in development and therefore content can change.

If you have questions or would like further information, drop us a line at hello@cft.org.uk

Prices & info

General admission | £15

Only one reduction applies per ticket, and all discounts are subject to availability and at the discretion of the Box Office. ID may be required for certain discounts.