But Novi doesn’t want to pretend her play offers any solutions. She has personally found London’s pubs and gay bars wonderful, its inhabitants friendly and approachable. Casting British actors who can bring their own experiences to the roles adds welcome texture, too. “It’s a fine line between telling the truth about stuff that feels unfair and feels wrong, and also acknowledging one’s privilege when it comes to like immigration in particular,” says Novi. While she may be an immigrant, she points out, she had the privileges of bilingualism, a visa, a place at an elite institution, and a passport that allows her to travel. The opportunity to assimilate, however hard it is.
‘It’s Evita but set in a psych ward’ — Maia Novi’s play Invasive Species lands in London
