THE immigrant community is given a rarely heard voice in Verbal States of Undress, the new play by Sale-based writer and performer Rani Moorthy.

It receives its world premiere at The Lowry next week and some of the script was based on interviews with people who have made this country their home.

Rani, who was born in Malaysia and educated in Singapore, and Manchester-based actor Curtis Cole will bring more than 25 different characters to life. They range from a Vietnamese drag artist to a Burmese activist.

The 52-year-old said: “My work has always been about the migrant culture and I was inspired by this whole idea of taping people’s voices and getting at what I think is happening in every majorr city in Britain. You get this whole soundscape of people from various parts of the world. We hardly have time to think where are they from, what is their background.

“I thought what if we look at voices that are not usually represented on the British stage.”

States of Verbal Undress promises to be a real eye opener for audiences who will be able to hear some of the questions featured in the UK Citizenship Test.

* Rasa presents States of Verbal Undress in The Lowry Studio from March 7-8 at 8pm. Tickets are available from 0843 208 6000 or thelowry.com.