The author of a critically acclaimed memoir chronicling his experiences as a refugee has been denied a UK visa to attend the premiere of its stage adaptation in London, created by one of Britain’s foremost playwrights.

Ibrahima Balde, residing in Spain, received notification from the UK government expressing concerns that he would not return home following the debut of Little Brother, which is set to open at the Jermyn Street Theatre next week.

Balde’s memoir, titled Little Brother: An Odyssey to Europe, details his harrowing journey through the Sahara in search of his younger brother, Alhassane, who left school in Guinea, West Africa, to support their family.

The book’s success garnered Balde a meeting with the late Pope Francis, and it has been adapted for the stage by Timberlake Wertenbaker, an Olivier award-winner recognized by the Washington Post as a leading figure in political theatre during the late 20th century.

The Jermyn Street Theatre supported Balde’s visa application for his planned visit to London for the premiere on May 20. He was scheduled to stay with Wertenbaker during his trip.

In its refusal letter dated May 13, the Home Office stated it was “not satisfied that you have demonstrated your circumstances are as declared, or that you intend to depart the UK after your visit.”

The correspondence further clarified: “Any future visa applications will be evaluated on their own merits, but you are likely to be denied unless there are changes in your circumstances. There is no right to appeal or request an administrative review regarding this decision.”

In response, the Jermyn Street Theatre urged the Home Office to reassess the decision, suggesting it reflects the government’s increasingly stringent stance on migration amidst political pressures from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.

Keir Starmer has recently faced criticism for allegedly aligning with far-right sentiment following remarks by the prime minister warning about the threat of Britain turning into an “island of strangers.”

The theatre expressed its disappointment, stating: “We are deeply upset that the UK Home Office has rejected renowned author Ibrahima Balde’s visa application to visit the UK for the production of Little Brother, adapted from his PEN Award-winning memoir.

“Little Brother illustrates Ibrahima’s quest to find his younger brother who seeks a path to Europe after leaving home in Guinea.

“The memoir has inspired many around the world, including a meeting with Pope Francis, and it has gained critical acclaim, translated into 13 languages, impacting numerous readers drawn to its poignant narrative about the often-overlooked individuals behind migration headlines.”

The theatre continued: “Refusing a visa to such an esteemed writer deprives UK audiences of an essential cultural link, a decision intertwined with ongoing political discourse surrounding migration.

“Jermyn Street Theatre calls on the Home Office to reconsider this decision and grant him entry to attend the premiere of the play based on his life story.”

Wertenbaker, known for her acclaimed work Our Country’s Good, which garnered six Tony nominations in its 1991 production, expressed her dismay: “It saddens me that the Home Office does not trust the intentions of a man who has already endured so much. This decision underscores the necessity of staging this play.

“We must remember that migrant stories are fundamentally human narratives. Denying a writer the chance to engage with the presentation of their own work risks obscuring this fact.”

Balde, who co-wrote his memoir with Spanish poet Amets Arzallus Antia, shared his disappointment at the Home Office’s verdict: “I am saddened by the Home Office’s decision, which prevents me from traveling to London to witness my own story brought to life on stage.

“This story belongs not only to me but to countless others who have traveled similar paths. I was to visit London for four days before returning to Madrid. I hope a solution can be found that allows me to attend the play.

“The world is vast for many, filled with opportunities to explore. However, for some individuals like myself, the world feels restricted, with parts of it off-limits.”

Scribe Publications, the book’s UK publisher, expressed its concern: “It is troubling that a significant writer has been denied a visa to the UK, especially at a time when his story, reflective of the experiences of many migrants arriving in Europe, is about to reach a new audience.”

A spokesperson for the Home Office stated: “All applicants have the opportunity to provide further evidence to support their application when requested.”