“Artists reach areas far beyond the reach of politicians,” Nelson Mandela told a group of musicians in Trafalgar Square five years ago. He believed a musical campaign started by two exiled South African musicians aided his release and the anti-apartheid cause. Personally, I had my doubts that any art form could have such power until I started to explore the work of Exodus Greater Manchester Refugee Arts Partnership: a three year programme launched in March 2005 to develop refugee arts in association with Community Arts North West (CAN). Working with refugees, asylum seekers and other local communities across the region, Exodusinspires creative projects, such as the recent Exodus Onstage: Refugee Theatre Season. For three weeks (14th November – 4th December 2006) 20 productions will show in seven venues across Greater Manchester, promising to be an explosive and daring mix of work: “…groundbreaking theatre exploring war, diaspora and asylum that will change the way you see the world.” To date it has not disappointed.