About

An absurd, very funny exploration of belonging, colonialism and identity; a roller disco about immigration. Obvs.

When Brexit hit, Canadian-born UK immigrant Jennifer Irons was advised by a friendly neighbour to "go home". But she hasn't lived there for 25 years, and Canada doesn't really want her kind either. Apparently she's too old, too broke and not nearly sporty enough. In fact, she wouldn't be eligible for a visa to live in Canada at all if she hadn't been born there.

With her age, qualifications and gender, the only visas she would be eligible for are for the very rich or as an 'Elite Sportsperson'. So, inspired by her childhood figure skating hero, 'Canada's Sweetheart' Elizabeth Manley, Jennifer embarked on a madcap quest to become a champion roller-skater and Canada's next sweetheart.

En-route, she discovered an ever-moving, welcoming, inspirational global and borderless community of people of all ages, sizes, nationalities, sexualities, identities, abilities and proclivities.

In this show, Jennifer highlights the futility and absurdities of borders, and asks, 'why do we insist on keeping people out of our group when we all simply want to be included?'

"I left inspired, moved & educated … while enjoying more than a few laughs" Theatre SouthEast (on preview)

Featuring dance, comedic storytelling, German techno, dancing salmon, an original score, creative captioning, projection mapping and, of course, roller skating, Bad Immigrant is an absurdly funny and occasionally sad cross between a leisure roller disco and Stars On Ice.

Jennifer Irons is an award-winning choreographer and dancer working internationally across mass movement, commercial, theatre and socially engaged projects. Her last Fringe show (2019) Yukon Ho! collected a Special Commendation from Olivia Colman's Screenshot Awards, 4 star reviews and audience plaudits. Her credits include Mass Movement Director for over 1,000 dancers in Akram Khan Company's Kadamati at the Edinburgh International Festival. She choreographed a number one hit single for Olly Murs and Rizzle Kicks and was Assistant Artistic Director for the Rugby League World Cup. She was also once tasked with teaching Boris Johnson to dance…

Bad Immigrant is directed Tom Roden of multiple award winners New Art Club. Music is by Stewart Baxter of the band Life, whose debut was awarded Album Of The Year on BBC Radio 1.

Bad Immigrant was made as part of Rapport Residency with Dance Makers Collective Sydney and South East Dance. Part-commissioned by Worthing Theatres, supported by Brighton Dome, Crying Out Loud, Skates4Mates and ACE.

Time advertised is start time.