Full English
by Natalie Davies & Bent Architect
Us kids aren’t English, they aren’t Pakistani. They’re ours. And we love ‘em for it!
FULL ENGLISH explores personal histories from the Canterbury Estate in Bradford, where Natalie Davies grew up, along with her mother and her Nan, Cath – a reggae loving, dance enthusiast.
Back in the late fifties, migrant workers started to arrive from Pakistan and Bangladesh. These young men soon met and started to fall in love with local lasses, including Natalie’s Nan – Cath.
Using first hand stories, FULL ENGLISH is a poignant, funny and life-affirming homage to the strength of women. Those who married Pakistani men and brought up mixed race children. Those who struggled with their identity. Those whom never really belonged to any particular culture or race. Those who constantly had to stand up against racists. Those who just didn’t care.
Because, let’s face it, who is full English anyway?
Just as Natalie becomes a mother herself, her beloved Nan is diagnosed with dementia. FULL ENGLISH charts Natalie’s journey as she attempts to piece together the fragments of her own identity through understanding the courage & tenacity of her Nan’s story.
What emerges is a love letter – between young people who loved across the boundaries, to Natalie’s Nan, to Bradford and to the courage of women everywhere facing prejudice.
Cast:
Faye Weerasinghe
Lucy Hird
Kamal Kaan
Full English is devised from the journals & memories of Natalie Davies
by Natalie Davies & Bent Architect
Lighting Designer – Sherry Coenen
Projection & Sound – Dave Searle
Designed & Directed by Jude Wright
Important Information:
The story of FULL ENGLISH is based on the real, lived experiences of Natalie Davies & her family. As such, the show contains a small amount of language in the depiction of racist experiences which some audiences may find offensive without prior warning.
You may also like…
