INTERVIEW: A Digital Pint with… Na-keisha Pebody, on Identity, Race, and Self-Discovery

Na-keisha Pedbody is the writer-performer of upcoming show LEI-LDN, directed by Mya Onwugbonu, and heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this week. The show is a blend of spoken word, movement, and comedy following the life of Chardaye, a mixed-race 17 year old uprooted from Leicester to South London, diving into into identity, race and self-discovery. We caught up with Na-keisha for a pixelated pint to find out more about the show.

You can catch LEI-LDN from July 30th to August 25th (not the 11-12th & 19th) at The Green at Pleasance Courtyard from 18:00 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.

Jake: Hi Na-keisha and Mya – your upcoming EdFringe show LEI-LDN follows the journey of a sharp-tongued, mixed race 17-year-old called Chardaye – tell us about her, and why you decided to bring her story to the stage now.

Na-keisha: Hi Jake, that’s a great question. Chardaye is a very likeable and funny character; she embodies what many people wish they could be – outspoken and bold. She says it how it is and doesn’t care how anyone feels about it. But under the surface, she’s like anyone else: she just wants to fit in and be accepted. That’s something mixed race people often struggle with – feeling displaced in either culture and pressured to ‘pick a side’ in order to belong.

I’ve seen far too many debates online where people try to categorise mixed race people or decide where we belong. It’s infuriating. Mixed people should have the freedom to define their own identity and feel empowered in doing so. That’s why telling this story, through Chardaye, felt urgent and necessary right now.

Jake: Tell us about what the audience can expect coming into the show, and what they might not expect.

Na-keisha: Expect a high-energy, fun show where you’re taken on a real journey with Chardaye – and you might even end up on stage. I love a bit of audience involvement, so I’ll definitely be picking people out of their seats. What people might not expect is the depth of the piece. Beneath the jokes and energy, there’s a strong emotional current, and I think audiences will leave feeling both entertained and educated.

Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?

Na-keisha: I hope they leave with a deeper understanding of the complexities of growing up mixed race in Britain, and what can arise from interracial relationships when they’re not approached with awareness and care. I also want the show to spark some self-reflection – to challenge any unconscious biases and leave people feeling more informed and empowered.

Jake: With Edinburgh Fringe 2025 just around the corner, what are you most excited for?

Na-keisha: Mya and I are both really excited to network, connect with other artists, and take in as many shows as possible. Neither of us have been to the Fringe before, so we’re looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere, learning from the experience, and enjoying everything the festival has to offer.

Jake: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?

Na-keisha: Wray and Nephew, for sure. Partly because of Chardaye’s Jamaican heritage – but also because one shot will probably knock your head off, just like Chardaye’s attitude. It’s bold, fiery, and you’re guaranteed a good time.

A reminder, you can catch LEI-LDN from July 30th to August 25th (not the 11-12th & 19th) at The Green at Pleasance Courtyard from 18:00 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.

Image Credit: Lukasz Izdebski