From Leicester to Edinburgh: Help Us Take LEI-LDN to Fringe

Hi everyone

I’m Na-keisha — writer and performer of LEI-LDN, a bold, funny, and heartfelt one-woman show that I created to bring more stories like mine to the stage.

The play follows Chardaye — a 17-year-old mixed-race girl with a sharp tongue and a lot to say. When she’s suddenly uprooted from Leicester and moved to South London, she’s thrown into a new world of aunties, accents and unspoken social codes. As she tries to decode her surroundings, she finds herself grappling with the deeper question: where do I belong?

LEI-LDN is inspired by my own life — from moving to the big city, to navigating what it means to grow up mixed — dealing with the code-switching, the culture clashes, and the constant question marks around identity. It's also a reflection of the stories I’ve seen in my friends and family.

It’s a story about belonging, growing up and navigating your identity, and learning how to take up space unapologetically. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt like they don't fit in, as well as highlighting the mixed race experience.

It's raw. It's funny. And honestly, it's so needed.

Why I'm Fundraising

After an amazing debut at Croydonites Festival, LEI-LDN has now been selected as part of the National Partnership Scheme with Curve Leicester and Pleasance Theatre — and we’re taking the show to Edinburgh Fringe 2025!

This is a huge step forward.

It’s the opportunity I’ve been working toward — a chance to share this show with new audiences, connect with other artists, and get LEI-LDN in front of the people who can take it even further. Think: film, TV, a wider tour.

It’s about putting Leicester on the map ️ and carving out space for voices that don’t always get heard.

I’m developing this show alongside the incredible Mya Onwugbonu — an award-winning director, artist and friend, who’s brought so much heart, creativity and vision to the piece. But while we’re lucky to be backed by great theatres, we’re still doing this independently — and we need support to make it happen.

What Your Donations Will Support

- Accommodation in Edinburgh (for the full run)

- Rehearsal space (we’ve only got 1-2 weeks in Leicester — we need more time in London)

- Travel + transport

- ️ Set and props

- Marketing & promotion (we’re doing it all ourselves!)

- Living costs while we’re up there

How You Can Help

Whether it’s £2 or £200 — every single donation helps us get one step closer to making this a reality.

And if you’re not in a position to give — please share this link with your friends, your group chats and anyone with a love for theatre (and maybe some deep pockets ).

This show isn’t just about me — it’s bigger than that.

It’s for my younger self.

It’s for anyone who's ever struggled to belong.

It’s for everyone who wants to see stories that reflect real life experiences on big stages.

Thank you so much for reading, supporting, and believing.

Na-keisha