A multi-ethnic comedy show inspired by the Windrush scandal is coming to Preston.

The Community Centre is stopping at The Continental on the way to Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Written by black writer and actor Nicola Gardner, The Community Centre depicts four African-Caribbean pensioners affected by the Windrush scandal, which saw British citizens wrongly detained, denied legal rights and threatened with deportation.

The show, which is an immersive experience where audiences are visitors to The Community Centre, is already attracting interest from TV production companies.

Gardner said: “The pensioners share funny and sometimes heart-breaking insight into the experience of Caribbean migrants and how they helped to shape the UK. 

“The show criticises Theresa May and Boris Johnson as it examines the effects of the Windrush scandal on black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.

“The Conservative government’s dreadful handling of the crisis will never be forgotten by the BAME community – the repercussions are far too damaging to simply be brushed under the carpet by the bestowing of a token Windrush Anniversary Day.”

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The show also combats the lack of diverse roles in theatre, film and television by providing roles for several black actors plus Asian actor Alex Kapila, with great reviews coming from its debut performances.

Gardner said: “I wrote a show that would give significant roles to artists from ethnic minorities and enable us to showcase our talents on a bigger stage and in a more significant way. I strongly believe in using performance as a theatrical tool for sharing and highlighting social dilemmas.

“After years of being the doctor or nurse with a few lines to say in TV productions, I decided to write my own show and make my own luck. The Community Centre has opened up opportunities for underused minority artists from the world of acting and also film production.

“Collectively we are mixed-race, African, African-Caribbean, Asian, English and Eastern European. We are all delighted that we get a chance to highlight social issues in a comedic way.

“My aim is that people who come to see the show will leave with a much better tolerance of people different to themselves.”

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The Community Centre is on at The Continental on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 August at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15.

To find out more and buy tickets visit The Community Centre website.

Will you be going to the show? Let us know in the comments below.