Platforma Festival heads to Cambridge

The Platforma Festival, a celebration of the arts by, with and about refugees and migration, is coming to the Cambridge Junction later this week.

The Junction is a partner in the festival, which is taking place across the East of England during October, featuring more than 35 arts events.

Co-produced by Counterpoints Arts in partnership with local artists and organisations, Platforma is a festival that takes place every two years in a different part of England.

Other regional locations presenting Platforma events this time around include Colchester, Diss, Ipswich, Diss, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Norwich, Peterborough, and Snape.

As part of the event, the Junction is presenting three works: two theatre performances and a free exhibition taking place in the venue’s foyer.

One of the theatre performances is Penguin, an award-winning solo show, which has been described as “uplifting”, by Syrian writer-performer Hamzeh Al Hussien.

In addition to two evening performances, Hamzeh will also take part in Displaced, Disabled, Dynamic – a special Platforma event exploring the work and perspectives of displaced and disabled artists, presented by Counterpoints Arts.

The production offers audiences an intimate look into Hamzeh’s extraordinary journey as a refugee – from his village in the Syrian mountains, to the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan, to his home in Gateshead, and inside his mind: a place full of music, dancing, fantasies, and marbles.

Hamzeh’s story is a testament to finding joy in adversity, offering audiences a personal perspective on migration, conflict, and belonging.

Hamzeh says: “I created Penguin to reclaim a word once used to bully me for my disability.

“The show tells the story of my life – from Syria to a refugee camp in Jordan to Gateshead – but really it’s about self-acceptance.

“Through dance, I explore my evolving relationship with my body – from watching Dabke at weddings in my village, to discovering movement with disabled artists in Za’atari, experiencing clubbing in the UK, and now using Penguin to express what my unique body can do.

“I invite the audience into my world – to smell the places I’ve been, play marbles with me on stage, and dance with me to some very loud, energetic tunes.”

Penguin is directed by Amy Golding, with Steph Connell joining as the new producer.

Amy says: “Hamzeh and I have been friends and collaborators for seven years now, sharing laughter, struggles, and countless adventures.

“Helping him tell his story – and facilitating his reunion with his mum after seven years apart – has been a true privilege.”

Penguin has received acclaim from The Guardian, The Scotsman and The Stage, among other publications.

See it at the Cambridge Junction (J2) on Tuesday, 7 and Wednesday, 8 October.

Tickets are Pay What You Feel (suggested £15) and are available from junction.co.uk.

Meanwhile, The Canoe Race, a family show of stories and live drawing, is coming to Cambridge Junction this Sunday (5 October).

The show is presented by artist/illustrator Tonka Uzu and storyteller Marion Leeper.

As the brothers race across the water, watch the pictures come alive on a big screen as Tonka draws in response to this story from the Marshall Islands.

And then what next?

Can you help tell the story of their next quest of finding their way safely to a new home? How would you solve the pressing real-world problems pictured in this centuries-old story?

Families will listen to a story, help improvise their own with live pictures, and join in a craft workshop afterwards, making their own map to guide them under the night sky.

Marion says: “This is such an important show to do. It’s light, playful, and a whole lot of fun – and it gets children thinking and talking about big ideas.

“It’s so exciting for me to work with Tonka and see my words come to life in pictures – sometimes the pictures show me a totally new side to the story.”

Tonka adds: “The very first time I heard Marion tell The Canoe Race story, I fell in love with it and knew I would love to visualise it one day.

“In the process of researching Marshallese traditional navigation, a lot of unexpected connections and aspects surfaced, alongside the creative fulfilment and joy of working with another creative artist.”

The Canoe Race is coming to the Cambridge Junction (J3), as part of the Platforma Festival 2025. There are two shows on the day – one at 11.30am, the other at 2pm.

Tickets, priced £15.50 for adults, £11 for children (15 per cent off for a group of four, maximum two adults), are available from junction.co.uk.