Finally the Torch Theatre have brought back live theatre to Pembrokeshire with a powerful, thought provoking stage production of Angel written by acclaimed multi award winning playwright Henry Naylor and directed by long-standing highly respected Torch artistic director, Peter Doran.

In 2014 thousands of Kurdish families in Syria were were fleeing Cowbane, a Kurdish majority city in northern Syria immediately south of the Syria – Turkey border.

Kobane was a battle ground between Islamic State militants and Kurdish fighters which forced over 130,000 Kurdish people to flee in to Turkey in just 4 days.

The play centralises on Rehana, a young woman growing up on her father’smuch treasured pistachio farm. From a young age she had embraced some of Western film and music culture and western liberalism and dreamed of doing a law degree. Her father had taught her to use a gun with great accuracy on the farm and respect for the land. Plans were soon shattered by the incoming ISIS militants.

Angel soon realises that there are two types of violence, one which empowers you and one which enslaves you and to recreate a land free of tyranny we must be as bloody as the tyrants themselves.

The play also challenges the power struggle between men and women in a culture that already had subjugated women since time began. Angel acknowledges that women should not hold guns but nether should men.

It is an extraordinary achievements of Yasmin Ozdemir, who grew up in Haverfordwest to portray her character so powerfully and those of the individuals along her path. Her passion and and brilliance shine.

This play will challenge your mind to think about life today in other countries facing the same upheaval.

Angel runs till 23rd October. Tickets are £14, £13 and £8.50 for U26. Tickets are available to book through the Torch Theatre Box Office on 01646 695267 or www.torchtheatre.co.uk

In conjunction with the play is an exhibition orchestrated by Artisan Avenue, collection of work from a group of asylum seekers accommodated at the ex military barracks in Penally . Prints re available for sale. The art speaks powerfully of their journeys and resilience they have in order to endure their experiences of persecution.