Exploring Identity and Immigration in “The Perfect Immigrant.
In Sam Yakura’s comedy, *The Perfect Immigrant*, directed by Charlotte La Nasa and presented in collaboration with Irish arts organization Solas Nua, the complex theme of immigration is explored through the journey of the protagonist, Levi, portrayed by Joshua Olujide. Levi leaves Nigeria to pursue a master’s program and a new career in Dublin, Ireland. The performance combines spoken prose, comedic elements, and emotional depth, delivered by a charismatic solo actor.
Crafting a successful one-man show is challenging. It must remain informative, engaging, and entertaining throughout. *The Perfect Immigrant* achieves this by maintaining a clear narrative focus. From the outset, Levi’s goals are evident: he aims to navigate the cultural shifts and changes in his relationship with his parents while adapting to life in Dublin. This focus is consistently upheld, creating a cohesive and satisfying story arc. The show’s visual elements, including lights and projections by Hailey LaRoe, enhance its unity, particularly when illustrating Levi’s poetic reflections on his experiences.
However, the show could benefit from more “showing” rather than “telling.” Reducing the amount of event recounting in favor of deeper introspection could enrich the audience’s understanding. While the narrative successfully links the immigrant experience with universal themes of growing up and self-discovery, a more abstract and poetic approach might offer deeper insights into Levi’s internal world.
The cathartic value of sharing and hearing immigrant stories is undeniable. For many in the creative team and audience, recounting personal experiences through media is a powerful and often rare experience. Although the show was not tailored to my personal experience as a non-immigrant, it nonetheless provided a meaningful perspective on the immigrant experience. As a young adult who recently left home, I found the show to be a valuable bridge in understanding these experiences. Yet, further exploration through abstract and poetic storytelling could offer even greater insight into the complexities of this narrative.