KILDARE EVENT DIARY: Play shines light on challenges faced by young migrants

The story of the challenges faced by young migrants as they arrive in Ireland will be brought to life in a groundbreaking new poetry play.

Following an award-winning premiere at last year’s Dublin Fringe Festival, The Perfect Immigrant, written and performed by poet and playwright Samuel Yakura is about to tour theatre venues across Ireland.

From the struggles of job hunting and navigating Ireland’s dating scene to searching for red chilli peppers in Lucan, this timely one-man show is a heartfelt and hilarious exploration of the challenges faced by those in search of a brighter future.

The show revolves around Levi, a courageous young Nigerian man who leaves his homeland, with three worn suitcases, to fulfill his dream of studying engineering in a foreign land.

Samuel Yakura describes how parts of the show are autobiographical: “The story is about a young adult navigating manhood, loneliness, and self-discovery in a foreign place. The piece draws, in part, from my own experiences as a migrant. Similar to the show’s protagonist, I came to Ireland in 2018 to pursue a masters in civil engineering. The piece is quite different from a traditional theatre show. We tell Levi’s story through a powerful mix of poetry, prose, and with an Irish-Nigerian sense of humour that will entertain and resonate with audiences of all backgrounds”.

For native Irish audiences, The Perfect Immigrant provides a unique insight into the cultural challenges of migration. Yakura believes that stories like these will also encourage more minority cultures to engage with Ireland’s theatre and arts scene.

“Ireland is undergoing a transformative journey towards becoming a thriving, multicultural society. However, there is a noticeable lack of representation in the arts and in audience attendance.

“By sharing stories like The Perfect Immigrant on stage, we hope to encourage minority cultures to explore the vibrant world of theatre and arts in Ireland. Personally, my journey as a poet has been enriched by coming here. I would encourage the general theatre community but also those outsiders to come and experience this inspiring show”.

The perfect Immigrant, written and performed by Samuel Yakura and directed by Katie O’Halloran will tour theatre venues across Ireland, including the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge on November 4. Tickets are priced at €14 to €16.

For more information contact the Riverbank on (045) 448327 from Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5pm, and on Saturday from 10amto 1pm. You can also book tickets online at www.riverbank.ie