My English Tongue, My Irish Heart

Went to see a fantastic play at the London Irish Centre in Camden. The main theme of My English Tongue, My Irish Heart is Irish emigration to England and the challenges of identity it creates for immigrants and their children.

Although set mainly in the present day, it draws on stories of emigration going back hundreds of years.

It is brilliantly performed by a cast of just five, each of whom play a wide variety of roles. I was amazed how all the cast could change from one character to another, and change accents, and both act and sing and dance. The whole thing was performed 'in the round' with no stage set, no costumes and no props, yet it was completely brilliant.

For anyone who has experienced the feeling of being both British and Irish the play is really quite moving. But it is also witty, entertaining and uplifting.