Bad Immigrant by Jennifer Irons at Jacksons Lane Review
Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
“If you don’t like it go home!” This is how Jennifer Irons, a UK immigrant from Canada, was told after Brexit by her neighbour. However, given the modern points system used by Canada and the US, she would not get into her home country either. Therefore, in Jennifer Irons’ mind, the solution is to become a world-renowned athlete, and to this she chooses roller skating to emulate her childhood hero, ‘Canada’s sweetheart’ Elizabeth Manley.
Jennifer, in sparkly pink Lycra and light up skating shoes, sets forth on her new dream. Therefore, cue the montages of falling skaters and difficulties in creating all of the fabulous moves that seem so effortless on stage, yet take years of hard work. I was certainly impressed by her skating skills and the ease with which Jennifer moved herself and different props across the stage. Interspersed with recorded conversations with her son, we see Jennifer grapple with what it means to be an immigrant and how the world’s society and the government treat them, even “the good ones”. She trains with a variety of internationally famous coaches, even travelling to Dubai and goes to an international skating festival in Barcelona. She explores the twin issues of migration and identity, both within the welcoming world of skating and in contrast with her daily life. She works hard to join the championship in Wembley, but this is not the centre or final destination in her journey.
So although she is seeking trophies and international recognition, the true welcoming community that Jennifer has been seeking was within the skating community, where truly everyone is welcome. Jennifer also spends time fundraising to help refugees to roller skate (https://www.gofundme.com/f/skates4mates) as a way of welcoming them in to the UK and helping them to find social communities.
I was especially impressed by how much of this show impacts some of the different layers of colonialism, where Jennifer consistently highlights her privilege in comparison to the indigenous Canadian communities and the asylum seekers from the Middle East and elsewhere. Although wrapped in glittering skater shoes, the wit is razor sharp and elegantly scores points. The ending note of talking to your uncomfortable neighbours to bring tolerance and care to our little corners of society to make everything better was exceptionally powerful.
This is an exceptionally engaging and uplifting piece which illustrates its points fantastically without sinking into inspirational pastiches or caricatures. Its running time of 1 hour perfectly unfolds this phase of Jennifer’s life, and we can see just how profoundly this issue has impacted her and her family. The old adage of “right or wrong, do something” perhaps best sums up the journey this show takes us through. So with my skating charm to represent being welcoming to everyone, I certainly left feeling uplifted, cheerful and motivated to make a difference in my own corner of the world.
If you enjoy dancing salmon, absurd humour, powerful social commentary, and incredible roller disco moves then this is the show for you.
★★★★★
