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.

Make yourself at home in our new space

The Nest is our new venue - you'll find us between the Festival Theatre and Northgate Car Park amongst the trees on the CFT site. The Nest has 120 seats which are unreserved, general admission - so get here early if you want your pick of the seats! 

There is an entry ramp leading to The Nest from the walkway of the CFT site and we have two wheelchair spaces in The Nest. We have an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities, and one other toilet - you're also welcome to pop across the road to the Minerva Theatre and use the toilets there too. 

We have a bar at The Nest which opens 45 minutes before the show starts so you can grab a drink before heading in. The bar is located in our small but perfectly formed front of house space which is open to the elements, we also have some seats and tables on our outdoor decking space when the weather allows. 

Looking for a bite to eat? You can grab food from other outlets on the CFT site, some do require booking, head to this page for more information about what's on offer at CFT and the opening times. 

We're tight on space at The Nest and don't have a cloakroom or space for luggage or big bags, so please pack light. 

If you have any queries during your visit please do speak to one of our friendly Front of House staff. 

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Getting here

If you're walking, driving, taking the train, catching a bus or hopping on your bike, we're easy to find. Search for Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT) to find us.