Bristol performer calls for more diversity in the theatre

A performer from South Bristol says more needs to be done to get young people interested in taking to the stage.

Pariah Khan has been touring with his one man show 'An Indian Abroad' for the last year, but says the lack of diversity in the industry puts most youngsters off.

The show is the story of a young Indian student on a gap year to Britain to find himself, playing on the stereotype of gap year students going to India to 'find themselves'.

Pariah says his background means he can bring something different to the stage that couldn't be genuinely represented by other actors.

The Arts Council's trying to change the lack of diversity in the theatre but their latest data shows there's still about half as many Black And Minority Ethnic people with permanent jobs in the industry compared to the working population of BAME people living in England.

Boomsatsuma, the post-16 education provider has a specific contract with Bristol City Council for the Bristol Works project.

They work across the city with unrepresented communities and students from different and some disadvantaged backgrounds and finds ways they can be involved with projects and meet employers.

An Indian Abroad is being performed at The Rondo Theatreon Wednesday 6 February.