Rose Theatre has announced the full casting and creative team for the world premiere stage adaptation of The Boy at the Back of the Class.  

The production, supported by Children's Theatre Partnership, is based on the multi award-winning and best-selling children's book by Onjali Q. Raúf.  

The Boy at the Back of the Class is a timely, humorous and heart-warming story about the power of kindness, engaging children and their families in discussions around refugee rights. 

Christopher Haydon, Artistic Director of Rose Theatre said: "I am beyond thrilled to be bringing Onjali Q Raúf's remarkable story to the stage. I love its warmth and the way it combines an exciting adventure with such piercing emotional honesty about the plight facing refugees today."   

Told from a child's perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home.   

After learning that he has fled his own war-torn country, Ahmet's classmates have 'The Greatest Idea in the World' – a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his family. An unexpected and often hilarious adventure follows, all topped off with a terrific twist.    

Adapted by Nick Ahad, a multiple award-winning journalist, writer and broadcaster working across TV, theatre and radio, the play is directed by Monique Touko. Touko's skill set includes facilitation, devising, international work, new writing, script reading, drama school shows and projects, training actors and working with young people. 

Poster. (Photo: Rose Theatre)

Some of cast include: 

•  Priya Davdra (Mrs Khan / Mum), who you may have seen as a regular on BBC's EastEnders, or more recently, Channel4's Queenie.  
• Gordon Miller is set to play the part of Tom, who featured in the West End's production of Harry Potter & The Cursed Child. 
• Sasha Desouza-Willock, playing Alexa, has wide catalogue of performances both in theatre and television. You may have seen in Open (National Theatre), Industry (Bad Wolf/HBO), London Kills (Acorn TV/BBC1), Inside Man (Hartswood Films/BBC), The Main Part (Studio 72/iPlayer), Adult Material (Channel 4/Fifty Fathoms Productions) and Doctors (BBC).  
• Playing the lead role is Farshid Rokey (Ahmet). His theatre repertoire include, just to name a few: The Boy With Two Hearts (National Theatre/Wales Millennium Centre); Flight (Bridge Theatre); The Jungle (St Ann's Warehouse, New York); Goats (Royal Court);  Another World (National Theatre); Martyr (Bristol Old Vic/Traverse Theatre/Unicorn Theatre); Star Crossed (Bush Theatre); The Kite Runner (Nottingham Playhouse/ Liverpool Playhouse); Mogadishu (Lyric Hammersmith/Royal Exchange Manchester/UK Tour). 

Haydon added: "I've always felt passionately about the need to support refugees and advocate for their rights, and it is vital, for me, that all our work at the Rose has the values of inclusion and tolerance at heart."  

Rose Theatre is also partnering with a local charity, Refugee Action Kingston, to raise awareness about and funds to support refugees in our community throughout this production.   

Bassam Mahfouz, Executive Director of Refugee Action Kingston said: "I arrived in west London as a four-year old boy from war-torn Beirut. I was fortunate my journey here didn't mimic Ahmet's, but in many ways I saw parallels in his story." 

 "I once was the boy at the back of the class, who received so much love and support from many in my school and local community. But, I also experienced hatred, intolerance, and ignorance. My experiences gave me the determination to create opportunities for others – that is what we do daily at Refugee Action Kingston."  

Rose Theatre has said it is proud to be collaborating with Children's Touring Partnership to bring this story to the stage. 

Hedda Beeby, of Children's Touring Partnership said: "If there is no theatre for younger audiences, there will be no theatre at all in years to come and it is vital to offer the opportunity to experience live performance from an early age. We are delighted to be working with the Rose Theatre to tell this life-affirming story. It's about young people for young people."  

The Boy at the Back of the Class opens at the Rose on 3 February, playing until 22 February, and then tours until June.