Jennifer Irons is a UK immigrant from Canada who was told after Brexit to “go home.”

But she hasn’t lived there in Canada for 20 years, and she’s discovered that according to THEIR immigration system, she would not be eligible for a visa to live in Canada if she hadn’t been born there. They don’t want her kind there either. 

In fact, at her age, qualifications, and gender, the only visas some like her would be eligible for rich people or as an ‘Elite Sportsperson.’ So, inspired by her childhood figure skating hero, ‘Canada’s Sweetheart’ Elizabeth Manley, Jennifer takes up roller skating. It’s here that she finds an ever-moving, welcoming, global and borderless community of people of all ages, sizes, nationalities, sexualities, identities, abilities, and proclivities. 

In Bad Immigrant, Jennifer explores colonialism, belonging and how to perfect the ‘Crazy Legs,’ in this cross between Boogie Nights, Flight of the Conchords and Stars on Ice.

As she sets out to become a champion roller dancer in a hilarious attempt to become ‘Canada’s Next Sweetheart’ she highlights the futility and absurdities of borders, and asks, why do we insist on keeping people out of our group when we all just want to be in?

Conceived, written and performed by Jennifer Irons, directed by Tom Roden with original music by Stewart Baxter. Designed by Nicolai Hart Hansen. Projection Design Harshini Karunaratne.

Book your ticket for the premiere on Thursday 13 Feburary at Worthing Theatre.