Jacob Sparrow’s Sanctuary arrives at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as a reflective and time-shifting new drama exploring memory, belonging and community. Inspired by real events in a Suffolk village during the early 1990s, the play examines the tensions that arose when plans to open an AIDS hospice were met with local resistance.
The story follows a man returning to a house from his past, where unexpected encounters force him to confront memories he has long suppressed. As past and present intertwine, the play unfolds within a fluid, almost dreamlike space where time collapses and storytelling becomes an act of survival.
Through its intimate setting, Sanctuary delves into themes of loneliness, shame and the absence of clear narratives for queer lives. At the same time, it highlights moments of care, humour and connection, offering a balanced and deeply human portrait of experience.
Winner of the inaugural Leodis Prize, the play marks Sparrow’s debut and signals the arrival of a distinctive new voice in contemporary theatre. With its thoughtful exploration of identity and resilience, Sanctuary invites audiences to consider what safety truly means, and who is allowed to find it.
Sanctuary runs at Pleasance Dome (Ace Dome) from 5 – 31 August at 16:00. Tickets are on sale here
