Bad Immigrant
2024 Creator & performer
It's a roller disco about immigration. Obvs.
Post-Brexit, UK immigrant Jennifer, is told “go home.”
But Canada doesn’t want her either.
So, she straps on skates, embarks on a hilarious and chaotic quest, asking: why can’t we all just belong?
Photo credit: Rosie PowellJennifer Irons, a UK immigrant from Canada, is told after Brexit to "go home". But she hasn't lived there in 25 years, and the kicker: Canada doesn't want her either.
Apparently, she's too old, too broke and not sporty enough?
Channeling her childhood hero, 'Canada's sweetheart' Elizabeth Manley, Jennifer straps on roller skates and dives helmet-first into a glittering world of freewheeling misfits.
With German techno, dancing salmon and absurd humour, award-winning choreographer and dancer Jennifer embarks on a chaotic, darkly surreal quest through colonialism, identity and the search for belonging.
This show is creative captioned.
Book now
Wed 1 October - Portsmouth Guildhall Studio
Sat 4 October - Jacksons Lane London
Sat 8 November - The Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield
What People Are Saying
‘This is an exceptionally engaging and uplifting piece which illustrates its points fantastically without sinking into inspirational pastiches or caricatures.’ ★★★★★
‘Bad Immigrant is a unique, bonkers journey through belonging, colonialism and identity’ ★★★★
‘Funny, raw and unexpectedly uplifting, Bad Immigrant left me rolling out of the theatre feeling hopeful in a time that rarely is.’ ★★★★
‘Bad Immigrant is one that every person owes to themselves to go and see.’ ★★★★
All photo credits: Zoe Manders
Watch the trailer
Listen up!
You’ve seen the show, you loved the music. Now listen at home!
Hear more from Jen
‘Incredible. I've never seen a live show that made me cry and laugh in the same breath.
Very relevant to the current climate, with an important message people need to hear.’
— Audience quote
Do you know about Skates4Mates?
Jennifer Irons is fundraising to support displaced people living on the South Coast by building community through roller skating.
Creative team
Conceived, written, and performed - Jennifer Irons
Director - Tom Roden
Dramaturg - Lou Cope
Sound design and original music - Stewart Baxter
Lighting - Lucy Hansom
Design - Nicolai Hart Hansen
Projection Design - Harshini J. Karunaratne
Captions Operator - Harshini J. Karunaratne, Raph Lambrakis-Haddad
Production Manager - Simon Booth
Roller skating Coaches - Danielle Taylor and Frankie J. Plague
Creative Collaborators - Sophie Passmore and Majid Dhana
Research Consultant - Dr. Martha Newson and Dario Brentin
Project Producers - Lisa Wolfe, Madeleine Wilson
Tour Producer - Natalie Richardson
Photo Credits - Rosie Powell, Zoe Mander
Film Credits - Rosie Powell, Zach Walker, Raph Lambrakis-Haddad
Marketing - Andrea Edwards
Social Media - 3amEnergy
Design - Tom Partridge
PR - SFP Communications
Evaluation - Kirsten Hutton
Thank you’s
Simon Harriyot and the Branding Needs Work, BK Workshop July 2024, Above Your Nerve and Gemma Leader, Haley McGee, Sophie Powell, Abigail Dooley, Emma Edwards, Ed Kilroy, Léonie Moffat Seaman, Felicia Wong, Mitchell Christie, Tim Casson, Brighton Skate Crew, Portsmouth Skate Crew, the Sky Walkers, Skates4Mates Rollerskate Crew, Dani Ross.
