Full English

Us kids aren’t English, they aren’t Pakistani. They’re ours. And we love ‘em for it! 

FULL ENGLISH explores personal histories from the Canterbury Estate, where Natalie Davies grew up, along with her mother and her Nan, Cath – a reggae loving, dance enthusiast.

Back in the late fifties, migrant workers started to arrive from Pakistan and Bangladesh. These young men soon met and started to fall in love with local lasses, including Natalie’s Nan – Cath.

Using first hand stories, FULL ENGLISH is a poignant, funny and life-affirming homage to the strength of women.  Those who married Pakistani men and brought up mixed race children. Those who struggled with their identity. Those whom never really belonged to any particular culture or race. Those who constantly had to stand up against racists. Those who just didn’t care.

Because, let’s face it, who is full English anyway?

Just as Natalie becomes a mother herself, her beloved Nan is diagnosed with dementia. FULL ENGLISH charts Natalie’s journey as she attempts to piece together the fragments of her own identity through understanding the courage & tenacity of her Nan’s story.

​What emerges is a love letter – between young people who loved across the boundaries, to Natalie’s Nan, to Bradford and to the courage of women everywhere facing prejudice. 

Produced by Natalie Davies and Bent Architect

Reviews and awards

“Bent Architect always present interesting, thought-provoking, very human productions, full of heart – and their latest is no exception.” – Yorkshire Post

“It was one of the best things I’ve seen; so powerful; acting was so good; such an authentic story that was so well told. ​Absolutely loved it.” – Audience review

Winner of ‘Best Production’ at Asian Media Awards 2021

Cast:

Faye Weerasinghe as Natalie	Lucy Hird as Cath/Nan	Kamal Kaan as Sohail
Faye trained at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and has recently starred in ‘Dupattas & Disco Balls’, ‘Camden People’s Theatre’, ‘Felt’, ‘Southwark Playhouse’ and ‘Dust, Half Moon Theatre’ as well as presenting on BBC Radio Leeds New Voice 2021.	Lucy is a prolific actor who hails from Bradford. She recently appeared in Freedom Studio’s ‘Black Teeth & a Brilliant Smile’ (UK tour) as well as guest leads in BBC Doctors, Emmerdale and Sky TV’s ‘Perspective’.	Kamal Kaan is an actor and writer and graduated from The University of Cambridge. He was awarded the Brian Park Scholarship for an MA in TV Fiction Writing at Glasgow Caledonian University. In 2021, he had two major theatre pieces staged: ‘2010’, and ‘Aaliyah: After Antigone’.

Rural Arts are offering a Cafe Special!

On the night, you can join us for dinner and a show.

• Adult plus food – £16.95
• Concession plus food – £14.95

Our Cafe Manager will serve a delicious Vegetarian Curry with Naan and Rice. A vegan option will also be available.

Food will be available between 6-7pm. Please book before the 20th May to join us for food.