Bayangkan Bayang [Imagine a Shadow] – A Southeast Asian-Led Ensemble Brings Stories of Statelessness to the London Stage

©️Photograph by Leanne Lim

What Does It Mean to Belong When No Country Claims You?

This March, a powerful new work by Malaysian-born director Tristen ZiJuin places Southeast Asian narratives at the heart of London's theatre landscape. Bayangkan Bayang [Imagine a Shadow] is a multidisciplinary performance weaving physical theatre, shadow play, original music, and spoken word across seven languages—including Malay, Polish, and English—to explore the hidden crisis of statelessness.

A Story Rooted in Community

The work draws on real testimonies and a direct witness to statelessness through our cast member, YY Yong, whose brother was stateless. In this story, we delve into the lived experience of YY and the cast's own migration stories, many of which speak directly to the Southeast Asian experience of displacement, bureaucratic invisibility and the search for home. The title itself—Malay for "Imagine a Shadow"—reflects the duality at the core of the work: being present yet unseen, rooted yet unrecognised.

This is not a story about the diaspora. It is a story from the diaspora, told by artists who carry these questions in their own lives.

About the Artist

Tristen ZiJuin brings a distinctive Southeast Asian lens to London's theatre scene. Born in Malaysia and now based in the UK, Tristen is Artistic Director of The Fever Kinetic, a company dedicated to creating work that bridges cultures and centres underrepresented narratives.

In Malaysia, Tristen was recognised as one of the country's youngest choreographers to work with National Theatre Malaysia, contributing to the acclaimed production RatuKuning Langkasuka. This background shaped by Southeast Asian storytelling traditions and embodied practice informs every layer of Bayangkan Bayang.

Tristen is also an alum of New Earth Theatre's Academy Plus Programme and a Young Ambassador for London Bubble, reflecting a commitment to building community and platforming ESEA voices in the UK arts sector.

Why This Story Matters for ESEA Audiences

For too long, Southeast Asian stories have been marginalised on British stages. Bayangkan Bayang is a step toward correcting that an invitation for ESEA communities to see themselves reflected, and for wider audiences to encounter narratives they may not have been exposed to.

For one night only, Camden People's Theatre becomes a meeting place for stories that demand to be heard.

Ticket Information:

Venue: Camden People’s Theatre
Dates: 24th March 2026, 7 pm
Time: 50 mins
Ticket Prices: £12 - £18
Suitable for: Age 14+

For more information, please visit: https://cptheatre.co.uk/whatson/Bayangkan-Bayang-Imagine-a-Shadow