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Full english

Audience  feedback

The 2021 Best Stage Production Award went to 'Full English' @NatsDavies @BentArchitectCo A big thank you to Sara Hussain of the West End Girl (WEGs) group for presenting the award @1VoiceBlackburn pic.twitter.com/iLcrDicYda

— Asian Media Awards (@asianmediaaward) October 30, 2021

Fabulous powerful piece of theatre. @BentArchitectCo Great performances from all three actors. Such a great evening. A #FullEnglish preceded by a great full Syrian @bab_tooma Bradford. https://t.co/wlJWphaBpD

— K England □ (@kersten_england) June 24, 2021
​"Absolutely brilliant performance,  first time since lockdown been to the theatre. My girls are from a blended family and one struggles with issues around identity so it felt very personal and uplifting - to be '100 percent me' as the girls quoted at the end. Felt fantastic to be back. The small tables were a lovely touch. Felt very spoilt! Well done and thank you."



​"Full English was a really high quality performance that left me thinking and feeling deeply.  Thank you."

Great night watching #FullEnglish! A dead warm, engaging and personal piece of theatre @BentArchitectCo @Kala_Sangam - cast were mint; well proud of @Lucy_Hird □□

— carl (@SPCarl91) June 24, 2021
"I don't remember seeing anything that made me think so hard about the nature and challenges of a mixed heritage upbringing, and how a person navigates not only the history of that stretching out behind them but also their own situation, and that of their children into the future. The cross-generational aspect of the show also worked really well, and made me think about the experiences of my own ancestors and elders in relation to my own."

Full English by @BentArchitectCo was absolutely phenomenal.

So timely but timeless. Distinctly Bradford but would strike a cord anywhere in the country.

Great production and great performances. Big shout out to the brilliant @kamal_kaan and rest of cast #Bradford2025 pic.twitter.com/kAgHTFkjvH

— Richard Dunbar #Bradford2025 (@rdunbar83) June 25, 2021

"My family has a history of mixed race identities and marriages. My granddad had two wives, 1 English and 1 Asian who left my  other grandmother for in the end. So for some its memorable, and for others it'll be painful. But I loved watching how they embraced life in such a challenging time."



"I came along with my 2 daughters, aged 12 and 14 and we all thoroughly enjoyed the play. My daughters are from dual heritages and faiths- English, Indian Sikh, Pakistani and sometimes struggle with their identity so it felt the play had been written for us.

The performances were excellent and reflect some of my mother in law who is English’s experiences of marrying and Asian man and being duped in the 1960/70s. Really, really fantastic… not one we’ll forget."

WOW - blown away!

Full English by @BentArchitectCo is absolutely phenomenal.
Beautiful, emotional, funny and Bradford to the bones!

So proud to be part of the Creativity Council with @bdproducinghub who supported bringing this heartfelt story to life! pic.twitter.com/Ug1sh3DOIc

— □□□□□ □□□□□□□□□ (@Lb_jesuisprest) June 25, 2021
"The issue of hybrid identities is very timely, and the play explored what it means to uncouple our sense of national identity from notions of whiteness. The idea of having to choose which aspect of your identity to claim and assert was well explored in the school scenes.  The conflicted emotions involved in disassociation with a stigmatised identity (I'm Spanish) were also clear.  I liked the growing realisation of how strong and resilient the grandmother figure must have been, and the importance of community support in 'deprived' areas was highlighted without sentimentality. 

Memory and ageing are also sensitively explored, with the presence of the past in the present are deftly shown."



'Very talented actors who depicted their characters with authenticity and belief.'

FULL ENGLISH was bloomen excellent-tears were shed for my gorgeous @NatsDavies story and what a bonus to see @Lucy_Hird & @kamal_kaan SMASHING IT! @jude_wright & Mick @BentArchitectCo CONGRATS ALL ROUND! What stupidly talented incredible friends I have! Beautiful Bradford ❤️

— Claire-Marie Seddon (@ClaireMarie333) June 23, 2021
'I am raising a mixed race child (looked after child) he is an adolescent and has lots of questions about his cultural identity so I found the show very poignant for that reason, I also have experience of dementia  and I thought it was very clever how you kept bringing the script round to the milk bottle flowers etc, using repetition.'

Also on my northern road trip I was blessed with the opening night of Full English by the incomparable team @BentArchitectCo - what a beautiful, witty, honest concept executed by a superb team of actors - check it out if u can in until Sun in Bradford! □

— Francesca Anderson (@FranAn_Actress) June 24, 2021
'The production and performance was exceptionally good. Please can you make time and space for it to be staged again?'

Congratulations to the incredible @NatsDavies @BentArchitectCo @Lucy_Hird @kamal_kaan and the whole #FullEnglish team for a moving, magic, momentous production! Wonderful storytelling! We loved it! Hope this will be back for more audiences to experience in the future!!! □□ pic.twitter.com/XXxSkPXZxI

— Elvi Piper (@elvipiper) June 27, 2021
'I've got a mixed race family, so grew up with some idea. I also have an immigration heritage that leaves me feeling dislocated too.

And have that identity erased by other members of my nuclear family and more.

I have friends who are biracial or immigrant stock too, and we discuss racism and xenophobia often. We live it together. I really connected with the plight of the mum and how she is/was perceived.

​These trail blazers living quiet lives in the background.'

Congratulations to all #FullEnglish team. Really lovely work. Huge respect @NatsDavies for sharing such a personal story! Great performance @Lucy_Hird & @kamal_kaan and @jude_wright bringing it together! Special shout out to @jennkay27 for the beautiful, thoughtful movement! □□ pic.twitter.com/MIYraeTN2j

— Kash Arshad (@kasharshad) June 27, 2021
'Being of dual heritage myself, I related on a very personal level to the theme of ‘belonging’ and the tediousness of feeling, whilst I was growing up, that an explanation is required for my colour.
​

I would definitely recommend it to others; in fact one of my first reactions was that this was something everybody needed to see…not just the usual, middle class, theatre audience. If anyone asked me what it is about, I would say there is so much in it, but fundamentally, I would tell them it’s about love…love across the generations, across cultures and across the seemingly massive, but ultimately meaningless, divide of race.'




'It is a lively and though provoking love story exploring the real difficulties facing families which mix cross cultural religious and ethnic boundaries. I found it very moving.

My parents were first generation immigrants of mixed Indian and British heritage and I was brought up in a world where there was a dominant white culture which we were supposed to assimilate into and yet which put up barriers to this assimilation, notwithstanding our own desire to assert/maintain our own cultural identities.'



Just been to see #FullEnglish @BentArchitectCo I didn’t realise it would be such a love story it’s left me all emotional

— harry kingham (@harrykingham4) June 27, 2021
​'It was such an authentic story that was told so powerfully by the 3 actors. The writing was so clever how what seemed like random outbursts from the Nan with dementia all made sense later on in the story.

​The whole set up felt intimate and made you feel part of the story - not disconnected like you can feel in a theatre.' 


I saw it on Wednesday night, and 2 days on I’m still thinking about how brilliant the actors are and how moving it was to be in a shared space watching live theatre. I loved it #FullEnglish #Bradford2025

— Anne McNeill (@impgalleryanne) June 25, 2021
'​The theme that stood out to me most was identity. This was clearly expressed through the idea of the jigsaw puzzle- the puzzle of Natalie's identity, the puzzle of her grandmother's life, and the puzzle of her grandmother's mind.

​I loved how trying to fit the pieces together was a process that Natalie and her grandmother shared in and how it encouraged me to think about my own life and the stories we tell. It also reflected the idea of fitting in or not fitting in and how different people and different situations changed how Natalie felt about herself and her family.'

Saw #FullEnglish @Kala_Sangam and aside from saying I loved it, can’t quite order my thoughts on it. So much emotion and personal history behind it that resonates pic.twitter.com/nKcqKqKpaf

— C.M (@millieshoes) June 27, 2021

​'One of the best shows I've seen in years, anyone could watch this show and find one or more elements that they could relate to. Aesthetics were very power, there was a simplistic contemporary style, but great use of sensory stimuli through visuals and sound effects.

All the performers and creators have presented this show in an exceptionally sensitive and creative manor a truly magical journey was created and I felt every moment.'

Thank you all for such a brilliant performance,, sharing your experience and encouraging us to explore, understand and empower identity, #FullEnglish was excellent! https://t.co/xOSBIaJJgn

— Matt Henderson (@MHendersonSCT) June 26, 2021
'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.'




"I am from a similar background and so related to not feeling sure where you belong, and that feeling of loss at not being able to speak to important people in your life and learn more. I think you got a sense of what had driven the writer and their feelings, and how much  love and affection they have for their Nan." 


So great to be back in @Kala_Sangam tonight with @BentArchitectCo The gang have done an incredible job with #FullEnglish I howled and I blubbed. Incredibly proud of @NatsDavies - so important that these stories are shared. The ordinary truly is extraordinary.

— spads (@BloodyNoraDJ) June 26, 2021
'I was totally taken by It. Such an important relevant story, simply set and so many complex issues touched on. The performers were brilliant. Not sure how three people took us between generations and continents so smoothly - that must be your theatre magic!

​Natalie's optimism at the end was super powerful in these these heavy duty times.'

Fabulous powerful piece of theatre. @BentArchitectCo Great performances from all three actors. Such a great evening. A #FullEnglish preceded by a great full Syrian @bab_tooma Bradford. https://t.co/wlJWphaBpD

— K England □ (@kersten_england) June 24, 2021
'Just to say that we came along to the final performance of Full English, and had a brilliant evening. So much to love about this production, superb acting, up close and personal, leaving the actors nowhere to hide and the audience totally engaged with them.  

So thank you for a hugely entertaining, thought provoking evening.  My stand out quote of the night was around teaching people to look up, not down. I'm having that one as a mantra!'

How good was #FullEnglish ?! Moving and authentic exploration of British identities in all their complexity. And the most romantic bus route in t’world https://t.co/g3m96zbPQh

— Prof Ingrid Sharp (@IngridESharp) June 26, 2021
'Amazing strength of working class women; Women coming together and supporting each other;  people deciding to be judgemental or non judgemental; acceptance; hope and love; Bradford; overt racism of  70s and 80s; experience of migration to Bradford from Pakistan; family relationships; different experiences of being mixed race; the need to dance! 

It touched in all these themes and more; really explored some of them in depth  or introduced them in a way that made you think about them afterwards.'

"The production brought you into the show, you felt part of it and all the actors were warm, likeable and believable.  I also loved the music, dancing and singing which I wasn’t expecting. Oh and the comic timing was perfect! The love story was beautiful and so sad, I really felt like I’d been on an emotional journey! It was just brilliant!"


So excited to sit in a theatre, have a beer and clap!! □ #FullEnglish at @Kala_Sangam was tender, complex and honest. @NatsDavies you were so sparky. Ace as ever @BentArchitectCo #bradford2025 https://t.co/pAuYOjm4ll

— May McQuade (@mcquade_may) June 26, 2021
'To me it is a story about identity, about what does it mean to belong? It also raises the question what Englishness is. For anyone not living near Bradford, it paints a phenomenally vivid picture of West Yorkshire from the late fifties on.

​You almost have the smell of the spices, the new sofa, the old flat in your nose. I for one really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anybody (I would have but we saw the last show).'

Well, @BentArchitectCo have done it again. #FullEnglish is a funny, moving and true piece, filled with #Bradford heart. @NatsDavies held us in the palm of her hand and led us through the story with great charm. Congratulations to all involved. Good to be back @Kala_Sangam too. Dx

— Damien O'Keeffe (@FlawedMonkey) June 26, 2021
'Absolutely brilliant. Had me in tears. What a wonderful performance. Well done Bradford folk!'

Thank you for sharing your family’s story. Your Nana is an amazing women. I loved it #FullEnglish

— Anne McNeill (@impgalleryanne) June 24, 2021
'​Ah so glad I got to see Full English. Thank you Jude Wright. So moving - sad and funny and such brilliant performances from all three actors. Def needs another run and some shows for schools.'

I saw it on Wednesday night, and 2 days on I’m still thinking about how brilliant the actors are and how moving it was to be in a shared space watching live theatre. I loved it #FullEnglish #Bradford2025

— Anne McNeill (@impgalleryanne) June 25, 2021
"I am old enough to remember when mixed race relationships were not approved of and you risked everything to be involved in one. My own family members were affected by this. The theme was explored extremely well with great knowledge and insight."
​

What an unexpected treat to catch #FullEnglish tonight by @NatsDavies & @BentArchitectCo @Kala_Sangam what a beautiful, moving story and performance! There were huge smiles and a tear or two from me!!❤️ I hear you can still grab a ticket for some shows this weekend!! #booknow pic.twitter.com/cFrYM9kI5V

— Lucy Rafton (@lucyrafton) June 25, 2021

What an afternoon. We’ve been lucky enough to have seen @BentArchitectCo #FullEnglish. Thought provoking, emotional and proper #bradford. Seriously not a dry eye in the house. Congratulations to all involved and the very warm, welcoming & well organised @Kala_Sangam . @NatsDavies https://t.co/2w9VnBejuJ

— Liberty Arts Yorkshire (@arts_liberty) June 26, 2021

Absolutely enthralling piece of theatre from @BentArchitectCo this evening, both heart-warming and a tear-jerker! #FullEnglish

Great work from the entire @Kala_Sangam team too for safely getting live shows back up and running □

— James Wilson (@wilsonflute) June 26, 2021

#fullenglish in #bradford
Aka #brafford looks great, sounds great, and deserves a wider audience and a proper tour.
Lovely little piece on last night's @BBCLookNorth@sarfrazmanzoor @adilray @tezilyas @AyoCaesar @nazirafzal https://t.co/JhHFDkZfaB pic.twitter.com/1V27PUbPlQ

— Safdar Hussain (@saf0113) June 23, 2021

THEATRE! To be fair it can be decent sometimes - and Full English by @NatsDavies , a performer of such ferocity she’ll make you cry and chuckle at the same time, is something you must go see.

Currently at Bradford’s @Kala_Sangam, but soon everywhere hopefully pic.twitter.com/WGsSdlNWag

— Stu Richards (@StuJRichards) June 27, 2021

FULL ENGLISH was bloomen excellent-tears were shed for my gorgeous @NatsDavies story and what a bonus to see @Lucy_Hird & @kamal_kaan SMASHING IT! @jude_wright & Mick @BentArchitectCo CONGRATS ALL ROUND! What stupidly talented incredible friends I have! Beautiful Bradford ❤️

— Claire-Marie Seddon (@ClaireMarie333) June 23, 2021

Huge congrats to @NatsDavies with Full English! What a brilliant, moving and emotional journey that was. Well done to @jude_wright and the whole team at @BentArchitectCo. Great cast as well featuring the always excellent @Lucy_Hird & @kamal_kaan. A great team ♥️

— Chris O'Connor (@cpoconnor87) June 24, 2021

Congrats @BentArchitectCo on Full English @Kala_Sangam powerful, emotive, authentic. Brilliant story telling and cast. Proud to be part of @bdproducinghub who supported it! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gIwiWIm9E6

— Shannen Johnson (@ShannenJJohnson) June 24, 2021

Congratulations to #TeamFullEnglish @BentArchitectCo @Kala_Sangam for 'Full English'. @NatsDavies found family photos in @BradfordMuseums' Photo Archive which I work with. Seeing the people, stories & lives brought to life this evening was touching, emotional & an honour. □

— Dr Lauren Padgett □ (@LaurenPadgett24) June 24, 2021

A captivating, poignant and utterly brilliant play by @BentArchitectCo tonight. Loved every second of it. So proud of Jude and Mick for making this happen. A story that needs telling far and wide. It deserves a national tour... pic.twitter.com/W3WlhKjZMt

— Mat Wright (@MatWright5) June 25, 2021

I don’t know where to begin with how amazing and personally resonating this piece was! @NatsDavies and @BentArchitectCo completely knocked it out of the park with a moving story that truly explored multiculturalism in Bradford and life as a mixed raced woman! https://t.co/88rupsik0v

— PerfArtsTeacher (@MistryLeila) June 26, 2021

I laughed, I cried, I watched people dance and fall in love. Phenomenal work @BentArchitectCo and @NatsDavies https://t.co/RIX7yFYI4K

— Dr Corinne Painter (@CorinnePainter) June 26, 2021

Soo glad I was able to get a ticket! A wonderful piece of theatre with such an important story. Massive congrats to @NatsDavies @BentArchitectCo and great performances from @kamal_kaan @Lucy_Hird ✨✨ https://t.co/075GSDCXhr

— Kerry Wright (@KE_Wright1) June 26, 2021

A fab night of theatre @Kala_Sangam for Full English by @BentArchitectCo Loved the post show chats with the lovely @jude_wright before ‘Displace Yourself it is now time to displace yourselves’ □ We didn’t want to leave @alexrobertcroft ! Best of luck with next steps everyone!□

— Displace Yourself (@DisplaceTheatre) June 27, 2021
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