Paper Chase follows Erik, a free-spirited, goodhearted immigrant, who receives a deportation letter and must deal forty-five thousand dollars worth of drugs in thirty days to prove to the government that he has enough money to stay here before he is kicked out of the country.

A fast-paced, painfully human comedy show about immigration, survival, and a battle cry for every immigrant who got lost in the system. Paper Chase is inspired by playwrights, Hugo van Essen’s own 1978-day journey (but who’s counting?) to become a Permanent Resident in Canada (minus the drug dealing).

Originally written as a TV pilot, Paper Chase has been reimagined for the stage as Hugo’s Fringe debut. The play features an ensemble cast of up-and-coming actors, including Aryaan Kanji, Cole Munden, Kris Langille, Jake Rostance, and Spencer Mullins.

This is not your average immigration tale. PAPER CHASE is rated 18+ for its unfiltered comedy, drug-fueled escapades, and brutally honest portrayal of bureaucratic survival.