The Immigrant Diaries

A captivating, affecting and striking storytelling show, hosted by comedians Sajeela Kershi and Sameena Zehra, that explores immigration experiences. This is a genius idea for a show; Sajeela and Sammena are the perfect hosts, lacing their own funny and painful tales between those of guest speakers. The guests I saw were Sunny Hundal and Shyama Perera. Hundal, is a writer, blogger and not a performer, but this helps, because he could tell his story of ‘How The Taliban Killed British Asian Music’ with a convincing honestly. It sat well within the other stories because common themes emerged throughout from different performers, like the reference to ‘Daydoos’, i.e. daytime parties that Asian kids went to during school time because their mums and dads would not let them out at night.

Shyama Perera has performance experience as a broadcaster; she told a deeply touching story about growing up in London and skilfully wove in an explanation of how a possession as mundane as a dining room table could attract great resonance and be a symbol of communication and success. Her story was utterly enchanting, sincere and wholly generous.
These stories were not recited from a script but created in the moment, in subtle response to the audience. Therefore risk was involved, not least because the stories were, at times, deeply personal. This gave rise to a significant feeling of transmission between performer and audience which was golden. The show is hilariously, entertaining and humanising. Look out for it.

The Hobgoblin, 1 June 2013

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