Acclaimed immigration play coming to Leeside

An insightful story exploring the challenges faced by young migrants as they arrive in Ireland will be brought to life in a groundbreaking new poetry play coming to Leeside next month.

Following an award-winning premiere at last year’s Dublin Fringe Festival, ‘The Perfect Immigrant’, written and performed by Nigerian poet and playwright Samuel Yakura, will take to the stage at the Cork Arts Theatre from 16-18 November.

The show follows Levi, a courageous young Nigerian man who leaves his homeland with his most precious belongings packed into three worn suitcases. His goal is to fulfil his dream of studying engineering in a foreign land.

The script moves fluidly between comedy and heartbreak, as Levi learns the meaning of 'what's the craic', tries his best to make ogbono soup in Dublin, and feels the sting of a tense relationship with his father, all presented in a story driven by prose, poetry, music, and movement.

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 has been described as a heartfelt and hilarious exploration of the challenges faced by those in search of a brighter future.

Describing his play, much of which is based on his own experiences as a migrant, Yakura says the piece is quite different to a traditional theatre show. “The story is about a young adult navigating manhood, loneliness, and self-discovery in a foreign place,” he explains.

“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.

“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,” he adds.

For native Irish audiences, Yakura says ‘The Perfect Immigrant’ will provide a unique insight into the cultural challenges of migration. He also 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,” says Yakura. “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,” he adds.

After moving to Ireland in 2018, Yakura quickly became involved with the Irish literary world, co-curating the Speakers Corner event at Central Arts Waterford’s Summer in the City. Yakura was one of six poets shortlisted for Poetry Ireland’s Versify 2019.

The show is directed by Katie O’Halloran, a Dublin-based, interdisciplinary director from Minneapolis, Minnesota.