Play Details
Context
Artistic Director
Ian Rickson
Part of
Young Writers’ Festival: Exposure
Dates Performed
Saturday 14th October 2000
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Form
Play Details
Synopsis
Behind the smudged glass of a corner shop window, generations collide as headlines and family traditions mingle in the daily rhythm of community life.
In this family-run newsagent’s, the mundane tasks of selling papers and lottery tickets become a lens through which to examine the complex dynamics of immigrant life in Britain. Three generations navigate the choppy waters of cultural assimilation, each struggling with their own understanding of identity and belonging in a rapidly changing urban landscape.
Pezhman’s Local crackles with tension as youthful ambition clashes with the weight of tradition, and parental sacrifice grates against filial duty. The shop becomes a microcosm of broader societal issues, exploring race, immigration, and the evolving face of British multiculturalism. Through sharp dialogue and keenly observed characters, the play challenges audiences to look beyond stereotypes and see the rich, complex lives unfolding in their own communities. Local offers a nuanced portrayal of the immigrant experience, reminding us that behind every neighbourhood shop lies a universe of hopes, fears, and quiet revolutions.