Annie George’s one woman play is a lyrical tale of her attempt to discover more about the life of her grandfather PM John who lived in Kerala, India. The only evidence she had of his existence was a faded photograph of a young man and what her parents could tell her of their memories of a man who had died in his 40th year, who had been considered a learned man who wrote beautiful poetry. As well as the desire to know more about her grandfather, her search was also bound up with her own sense of where she belonged as she herself was born in Kerala, spent her youth in London and now lives in Scotland.

The narrative shifts seamlessly between these locations as Annie acts out the parts of her mother and grandfather as well as herself. Her grandfather’s short life was at a time when India was fighting for its independence whilst under the yoke of the British empire. As Indian education and books covered British history in English, her grandfather sought to fight back in the best way he knew, by writing beautiful poetry in his own language.

The story also touches upon the racism her parents endured as immigrants to Britain, and the racism she herself encountered at school and as an adult.

This is a fascinating hour in the company of Annie. The simple staging is enhanced by the use of video with scenes of street life giving a real sense of the culture shock she must have felt on landing in Kerala. Her storytelling skills spin an inspiring and tragic tale with the conclusion that it’s not where you are from that’s important but our ability to leave a tangible trace of our existence in order to prove that we all matter. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Annie and her family and urge you to spend a delightful hour in her company.

****

Reviewed by Rona

Summerhall TechCube 0

19.20 (1hr 5)

Aug 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27