THE SOUTH AFREAKINS Returns To Edinburgh Festival

Impi Theatre Company presents
THE SOUTH AFREAKINS, written and performed by Robyn Paterson

The award-winning sell-out show returns to Edinburgh Festival after a sold-out 2016 run

Funny, dark, and deeply poignant, The South Afreakins explores the highs and lows of one ordinary yet extraordinary family's immigration story from desegregated South Africa to stress free living in New Zealand. But what of home and those left behind?

The solo show is inspired by Paterson's own parents' (Helene and Gordon) experience of emigrating from South Africa to New Zealand. Audiences meet Helene and Gordon as they enter into their golden years, however, they are stuck standing still. Stuck in their arm chairs, stuck in the same house and stuck in their rut. As Gordon's work-life comes to an end and the murder of their son four years previously still tainting their everyday lives, Helene is determined to leave everything behind and start again in the quiet sheep filled hills of New Zealand.

Gordon's dream is to stay right where he is - until Helene confirms that their extended holiday to New Zealand is in fact a permanent move to a new home. Feeling increasingly more culturally isolated, will the arrival of his best friend Clive make a difference? And where exactly does our home really lie - is it in places, or within people?

For many people regardless of race, colour or age immigration is never an easy option. The common denominator for most migrants is loss. Leaving familiar people and places behind always comes at a painful price. The South Afreakins unpicks what happens when the head seeks safety and security, the heart, home. "It lifts the veil to the pragmatic decisions behind social and political migration, intentional or forced and the realization that there is always a price to pay." says Paterson." Whilst writing the play I was keenly aware that childhood and early memories become footnotes for friends and family left behind".

South African born actress Robyn Paterson has been a professional playwright and actress for over 14 years in theatre, film and television in Australia, New Zealand and London. Credits include The Generation of Z (site-specific, London), and Channel 4's Anzac Girls. Her first one-woman show Introducing Anna had a sell-out season at Auckland's Basement Theatre in New Zealand. Her second play, Mooi River, was third place in the New Zealand 'B4 25' Playwriting Competition. Her other work, including the full length play The World's First Fight, was shortlisted for The New Zealand Playmarket Adam Playwriting Award in 2015 and her most recent play The Radio Interview was shortlisted in the 2015 British Theatre Challenge. Robyn stars in globally released 2019 LBGTQ film Same But Different set in New Zealand.

The Impi Theatre Company is comprised of recent graduates from London's top dramatic universities including Royal Holloway University, Kingston University, and London South Bank University. These graduates have experience in the performance industry, working with London artists and theatres but are using Edinburgh Fringe 2019 and The South Afreakins and The South Afreakins: The Afreakin Family as a springboard to launch their careers as professional industry practitioners, supported by Robyn Paterson who graduated from the Unitec School of Performing Arts in 2009 and The Neighbourhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York in 2011.

The South Afreakins runs alternately alongside brand new follow-up show The South Afreakins - The Afreakin Family at theSpace on the Mile throughout August.

Facebook: TheSouthAfreakins Twitter: @SouthAfreakins Instagram: @thesouthafreakins
Website: www.thesouthafreakins.com

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