Travel has always been a huge part of our lifestyle, mostly for pleasure. However, the other side of the coin shows a more complicated and frustrating time for others. How do you pack a life into 23 kilograms? One item at a time is a poignant quote from Transit. An immersive mixed media and multilingual piece that closely examines the reality involved with migration. What is really involved with moving over to another country? Transit explores that in a way that is mindful and emotional as each layer of the onion is revealed.
The first observation was the way each section was carefully choreographed and devised, using nothing but many suitcases to create different objects and items to indicate a location such as the home office and a TV show-style setting. Fused with many different genres of performance and an effective use of finger ring torch lights, as well as atmospheric music, streamlined lighting and projections that had images, as well as the text spoken, we were treated to an experience that not only gave us food for thought, but an extremely honest account of what really happens in migration and trying to genuinely find your place in a world that is not your own.
At times, the projections did slightly distract, with the words being shown as the work was being performed on stage, which meant on the odd occasion focus was lost. It must also be noted, however, that it was always meant to be used as a way to not only make the show more inclusive for everyone there, but also to visually highlight the way in which life can intrinsically cross over into territory that can be messy and complicated behind the scenes and even something as simple as applying for a visa in your native language can be overwhelming. Also, one of the audience participation moments needed to be slowed down a little more near the beginning of the piece on the back wall projections in order to make sure that a response could be had properly from all who wanted to participate. At the time of review, the exclamation of ‘too fast!’ was duly noted.
Apart from those small tweaks, the cast as a collective created a well-developed piece that was extremely moving and flowed extremely well from one section to another. Whilst some of the topics explored were at times hard to watch, the way in which the ensemble worked together to create meaningful moments that also had elements of hope was mesmerising to watch. Each word spoken gave us a clear indication of where their origins were, invited us into their individual worlds with care, and every story conveyed was one that had moments of comedy and sadness. The physical quality of each placement was well executed and added to the confusion felt sometimes behind a transition such as this. Yet despite being together, what was good to see was the essence of being alone. This is what we don’t see, and the way this was conveyed was simple, yet sensitively handled.
The whole experience from start to finish made sure no stones were unturned, and every story had its say. Transit encompasses this, as well as an emotional, inclusive experience that makes you appreciate what really happens when change occurs. It will for sure encourage more conversations of understanding to happen. The more stories are shared, the more we learn.
Review by Sascha Cooper
How do you pack a life into 23 kilograms? One item at a time.
Transit is an award-winning, genre-bending investigation of identity, belonging and migration. Told through a series of vignettes utilising physical theatre, multilingual performance, poetry, dance, multimedia, practical lights and music, Transit delicately navigates the feeling of being ‘too foreign for here, too foreign for home.’
From the endless cycle of unpacking and repacking to wondering when you can stop being considered ‘a foreigner’ to building community and hope admist uncertainty, this deeply human piece is a love letter to anyone who has ever moved away from home.
Based on true stories gathered from migrants across the UK, Transit asks: what does it mean to settle in the space between languages, cultures and identities?
All performances of Transit are creatively captioned.
Cast & Creative Team
Original Devising Company: Mikko Juan, Ting-Ning Wen, Bethany Monk-Lane, Aijamal Nasirdinova, Niamh Smith
Performed for The Cockpit: Ting-Ning Wen, Bethany Monk-Lane, Aijamal Nasirdinova, Niamh Smith, Danlu Peng
Director: Megan Brewer
Producer: Lydia Idakula
Set and Costume Designer: Daria Vasko
Lighting Designer: Cheng Keng
Sound Designer: Jamie Lu
Video Designer: He Zhang
Movement Director: Monica Nicolades
Composer: Austin Yang
Assistant Producer: Bukky Sanu
Assistant Director: Kazue Horimasu
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, with additional support from Unity Theatre Trust.
Running time: 70 minutes
Recommended for ages 12+
Content warnings: racism, xenophobia, periods of darkness, loud noise, mild language
TRANSIT
The Cockpit
Wednesday 22 to Friday 24 July 2026 – 7:30pm
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July 2026 – 2:00pm and 7:30pm
