The Old Oak – CANCELLED

TJ Ballantyne, the landlord of The Old Oak develops an unlikely friendship with a curious young Syrian Yara with her camera after the arrival of Syrian refugees who are placed in the village without any notice. Local tensions arise when the pub becomes contested territory, can they find a way for the two communities to understand each other? So unfolds a deeply moving drama about their fragilities and hopes.

THE OLD OAK is a special place. Not only is it the last pub standing, but it’s also the only remaining public space where people can meet in a once thriving mining community that has now fallen on hard times after 30 years of decline. TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) the landlord hangs on to The Old Oak by his fingertips, and his predicament is endangered even more when the pub becomes contested territory after the arrival of Syrian refugees who are placed in the village without any notice. In an unlikely friendship TJ meets a curious young Syrian Yara (Ebla Mari) with her camera. Can they find a way for the two communities to understand each other? So unfolds a deeply moving drama about their fragilities and hopes.

Click here to read our programme notes.