“It Tastes Like Home”, The Musical is the exciting musical comedy which opens at the Bread and Roses Theatre on 16th October 2018 running to 27th October 2018. Jamaican and Chinese culture entwine in this modern-day love story between a first-generation Jamaican, Camilla and Yi of Chinese descent. As their tentative relationship evolves, can they balance their two worlds of family, culture and values? What is it like to be first generation in this country?
What is it like to live within two cultures simultaneously, one inside, and one outside?
What is it like to emigrate to this country with great hope and find it’s not as you thought?
What is it like to see your children become part of that culture, and feel maybe, that your own is slipping away?
The Recipe…..
Prepare two families,
Mix in two cultures,
Then slowly add three identities, spice liberally with two different cuisines Now mix well.
Cook in a London oven for two generations.
The finished dish should look like ……One Life?
“When I was young, A.M was Dumplings. P.M was Fish and Chips. When I was Older, A.M was plantain, P.M a walnut whip.”
Audiences can enjoy a lively infectious soundtrack fusing #reggae music and Chinese influences, this is a unique feel-good musical that explores cultural identity and displacement. The musical asks the questions what home look does when you come from another place, and whether East can ever really fuse with the West, when it comes to beliefs, identity but most importantly food. Never more relevant now with the Windrush conversations and BREXIT this is a timely production. #Ittasteslikehome #ITLH2018 #Identity #Culture
Lorna Wells, Writer of the book and song lyrics said.
“I wanted “It Taste Like Home” to be authentic, genuine, a real depiction of the migrant experience. Being a semi-autobiographical piece, I wanted to tell my story truthfully, authentically and without correction. Exploring the poignant questions, not with a sledgehammer approach, but with a lighter touch, hence a romantic comedy. I think that when you are laughing, you can hear the message more loudly. Also, the Jamaican tradition of “Tek bad ting mek joke” is one I’ve grown up with”.
Meet Lead cast and creatives:
Lorna Wells| Book and Lyrics
Despite chronic illness over the years and having to give up career after career including Singer-Songwriter, and running a dance and vocal workshop business, creating mini-musicals for children, Lorna decided to embark on an MA in Musical theatre at Goldsmiths University. She got a place, but unfortunately had to give that up as well, however she continued writing and wrote from home. Finding the writing therapeutic, although at times challenging, over three years Lorna managed to write the 90-minute version of “It Tastes Like Home- The Musical”.
Melissa Parke (main image)
‘Camilla Morgan’
Based in London Melissa is an actress and singer. A graduate of Identity drama school and ALRA with an MA in Acting. Her credits while training: Marquise de Merteuil in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Camillo in The Winter’s Tale, Irina/Anfisa in Three Sisters, Mette in Festen and Sofia in Widows. Her professional credits: Ti-Jean/Ensemble in Ti-Jean and His Brothers (Arcola Theatre), Jem in My Brother’s Shoes (Theatre 503), Empress Cixi in Inside the Chocolate Box (MK Gallery), Angelina in Tour of Duty (Yaw’s House Productions) and Estelle in Leader of the Pack (Waterloo East Theatre). As a singer and dancer/choreographer, has trained in a wide range of dance styles including Contemporary, Street, Dancehall and African.
Jarrod Lee
‘Yi Chen’
Jarrod Lee is a recent graduate of Royal Academy of Music with his MA in Musical Theatre (Distinction). A long list of credits include: musicals, films and TV in New Zealand, including starring in TVNZ’s Han Chronicles as Young Han, playing Song Liling in M Butterfly, taking on Thuy U.S./Assistant Commissar in Miss Saigon, and achieving his ATCL Diploma in Musical Theatre with Trinity College London: represented by BBA Management. *Full cast list and biographies available on request.
Book & Lyrics: Lorna Wells
Music: Eudora Yutong Qiao
Director: Roman Berry
Producers: Annabeth Murphy-Thomas, Alejandro Martín Aparicio
“It Tastes Like Home” was developed as part of the MA Musical Theatre course through Goldsmiths and its original 45-minute version enjoyed a sell-out run when it premiered at the Tristan Bates Theatre in September 2016. It then had a sell-out run as part of the Clapham Fringe 2017.
Divergent Theatre Collective
Launched in 2015 to explore and expose, contemporary social and political issues, with an aim to tell diverse stories relevant today, yet with universal themes. Providing thought provoking innovative storytelling that reflects the multicultural experience. Divergent exist to create, delight, unlock minds, amuse and inspire. As decision-makers in UK theatre Divergent encourages emerging creatives & performers from all walks of life and art forms to collaborate.
Tickets are on sale now at the BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE. You can book tickets via the Box Office on 020 8050 3025 or, for more details, visit www. it-tastes-like-home.com or check the Bread and Roses website: https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/it-tastes-like-home.html
Where: Bread and Roses Theatre When: 7:30pm from 16th to 27th October 2018 Matinee: 2:30pm on 20th & 27th October 2018 Running Time: 90 minutes with a 15 minute interval.
Address: 68 Clapham Manor Street, London, SW4 6DZ, UK.
