Restive Souls: A Powerful Theater Production Revealing the Truths of Modern-Day Slavery
BABSEACLE and The Legal House Thailand, together with SEATECT Rotary Club, supported the Gate Theater’s production of a devastating yet hopeful play on social justice and human trafficking ‘Restive Souls’, which took place at AUA Language Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 27-29 November 2025 during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
This three-night event was attended by local playgoers, lawyers, law students, and members of the city’s expat community, who turned out in large numbers and showed keen interest throughout the performance.
The two-act play, written and directed by Stephan Turner and performed by a group of volunteer actors, chronicled a meeting of high commissioners for human rights in the effort to advance effective anti-trafficking responses and the work of its investigative unit supporting the Special Rapporteur. It unfolded fictional characters facing modern-day slavery including forced labour and sexual exploitation that exists in realities across the word and that affects countless lives.
During intermission of each night, actors and audiences were offered pizza slices, donated and supported by Why Not? an Italian restaurant and wine bar in Chiang Mai’s Nimmanhaemin area, and long term supporter of BABSEACLE and the Gate Theater.
The second act continued and closed with a highlight of the personal bravery and resilience of human-trafficking survivors, calling attention to prevent and suppress slavery in all its form.
Post-play discussions around the issue of global human trafficking and how we can provide our voices to help stop the cycle of exploitation were facilitated by Chandni Brown (Patel) from JUST Impact, Lauren van Arendonk from Intrépido Ltd, and Bruce Lasky from BABSEACLE. These facilitators shared their knowledge and expertise, increasing awareness and deepening the audience’s understanding of this global threat.
We trust that the message from the play and conversations we have had will build a movement and drive positive change against trafficking in persons. We look forward to the amazing plays by the Gate Theater still to come in the years ahead, including the justice related performances supported by BABSEACLE and The Legal House.
