“If there was an oppression Olympics I would win gold! What’s My Ident?’ is a work-in-progress that explores Aaron’s identity on his way to self-discovery as a hard of hearing Punjabi lad from Wolverhampton. And, if that isn’t challenging enough, he hopes London might be the place where he can make decisions on his sexuality ! This light-hearted piece focusing on key moments in Aaron’s life, takes you on a journey through torment and laughter when faced with hurdles around identity… If you can’t be yourself, what else is there to be? ” – Aaron Virdee
Not deaf enough for the Deaf world, too deaf for the hearing world. Straight at the family function, gay in the club. Too Punjabi for the hair salon. What is my ident takes a playful approach to exploring the shape shifting that comes with being a brown hard of hearing gay lad from the land of the yam yams.
A scripted read through at the Newhampton Arts Centre with a BSL interpreter the piece felt like it was already coming together.
Somewhere between a coming of age story and a comedy show, what’s my ident? is stripped back and poignant. The piece is full of anecdotal tales about how Aarons marginalised identities impacted him navigating the world and finding himself. At the same time it explores him trying to fit into his working class Punjabi household in the early 2000s. The piece is self-referential throughout with characters that highlight good natured people who say it how it is before the age of being PC. Highlights include “So when you eat pork does it have to be halal?” The piece has a level of tongue and cheek that feels true to the era its set in. A time that some folks will remember like it was yesterday, and others will only know through cultural nostalgia. It was interesting seeing how some attitudes from the early 2000’s have completely changed and some have stayed the same.
The forty minute performance was spliced with interludes of movement between the three performers. Each time Aaron was trying to get the attention of the other two performers. This added another dimension to the piece and seemed to symbolise the overwhelming feeling of trying to communicate who you are. Trying to find stillness in the hustle and bustle of it all.
The piece is an ode to Aaron containing multitudes and pays homage to them all in a way that feels effortless and beautiful.
Originally intended as a stand up set then a one man show Aaron hopes that this show will tour and the supporting actors will change depending on what city they are in and have community members play the role. In hopes that each show will pick up a part of the city it tours in.
What’s my ident is a work in progress under R&D with Tara theatre and deaf explorer.
The aim is that sometime soon you can explore a piece of ident- in a city near you.
Written by Ray VM
@raymondowrote
Deaf Explorer 