Unique women's stories brought to life

Mother Tongues from Farther Lands, which was performed at Wolverhampton's Newhampton Arts Centre, aimed to tell the story of of a number of South Asian females who came to this country as children.

The shows writer and creator Sajeela Kershi said that this particular generation of women have been so hard at work raising their families and handling their own jobs that they have never had the chance to share their stories.

The show, set against a backdrop of portraits of the dozens of women interviewed in order to gather material, is performed by Sajeela and her co-stars Shobu Kapoor, who has appeared in Eastenders, Shobna Gulati, who has appeared in Coronation Street and journalist Shyama Perera.

The result is in equal measures humorous, emotional and always interesting.

Sajeela Kershi said: "I am incredibly proud of the show, we have given voices to some of the most amazing people you will ever know.

"It was incredible to get out and meet these people, gain their trust and allow them to share their stories with me.

"The end result is quite inspirational and I think it just shows how universal the things we remember in life are.

"The stories aren't so much steeped in one particular culture, although that does play a part, they are things we all go through regardless of our background."

Commissioned by Southbank Centre's Alchemy, the largest UK festival inspired by South Asian culture, Mother Tongues from Farther Lands has been produced in partnership with Alchemy national partners: Black Country Touring, Cast Doncaster and Oldham Coliseum Theatre, and supported by Arts Council England.

Taking inspiration from communities across the UK, the production is being staged next at Cast in Doncaster (June 3).

Actress Shobu Kapoor said: “Telling another person's story puts a huge responsibility on my shoulders.

"I have to honour them, but also try and be as three-dimensional as possible, which means shedding light also on the shadow side of someone's personality.

"Hopefully, an emotionally rounded portrayal draws in the audience in a way that a totally factual rendering may not, and the people whose stories I'm telling feel that they and their experiences have been truthfully told."

Shobna Gulati called working on the project 'a wonderful opportunity'.

She said: “It's been a wonderful opportunity to work within a female-led team of diverse artists where we can engage with, recognise and celebrate the contributions of women from our communities from all backgrounds; with a view to share our experiences of our life journeys, finding a collective joy, freedom to release and solace.”