‘Sausage Sodas and Onion Bhajis’ is Lata Sharma’s love letter to Northern Ireland.
And the writer and broadcaster’s new one-woman show will be staged by the Bright Umbrella crew in the Sanctuary Theatre at the Mount in Belfast on November 8 and 9.
Born in Newtownards and raised in east Belfast, Lata describes herself as Northern Irish with Indian heritage.
After raising her three children Lata is busy with theatre work, diversity work, BBC Sunday Morning Live TV presenting and BBC Radio Ulster broadcasting.
She is the youngest of six raised by her late parents Sudershan and Ram, who moved from India to Belfast in the 1950s.
Lata and Rigsy presenting Summer Social on BBC Radio Ulster
She told Sunday Life the family initially opened a fish and chip shop, and then a mobile retail business, “before the Troubles hit”.
“My whole life story is growing up in Northern Ireland during that time, so I have a different perspective on how we approach diversity,” she said.
“I am conscious of how communities suffered, so social issues, mental health issues, how we approach diversity, needs to be uniquely done.”
Sausage Sodas and Onion Bhajis is about Lata’s experiences with sectarianism, racism, cultural clashes and more.
“It is a journey with humour, and a lot of emotional content. People have to be able to laugh and cry,” she said.
“I like to do it in the Bright Umbrella space because it is a small, intimate space. I can reach the audience. A story like this, you need to be in amongst people.”
Lata Sharma at the BBC
She added: “I became the woman I am because of my mother and the community I was raised in.
“Sausage sodas represent the Northern Irish side of me, and onion bhajis my Indian heritage.
“I am so blessed to have both. I can be who I want, do what I want and say what I want without fear.”
Lata learned so much from her late parents about how they “had to navigate a green and orange society”.
“East Belfast was their home for 50 odd years. They died here. Their children were here. This was their home, and it was always going to be,” she said.
“They knew the horrors of partition and the heartache. They also knew you can move forward. I share and weave all that into Sausage Sodas and Onion Bhajis.”
Through the 80-minute monologue she hopes to “connect with the working class communities and people who raised me”.
After raising her own family, she feels it is “her time”. She said: “My children are all in their 20s, my husband is still lucky enough to have me, and they are encouraging me. I really didn’t expect to be back at this life after 18 years at home with the kids.
“Coming back out again, I am being given opportunities to work in something I absolutely love — the media and the arts world.”
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Lata Sharma at the launch of the Minorities Recognition Awards at Titanic Belfast with founder Diane Davis and co-host Ibe Sesay
With new communities increasingly making their homes here, Lata tells people either: “I sound like them and look like you, or I look like them and sound like you.
“Since the Good Friday Agreement we have had more diverse communities coming to live here. This story is really important to me.
“I want to share what it means to be Northern Irish with a face like mine.”
Lata Sharma with her mum and three of her siblings in the 1970s
On the recent racist rioting in Belfast, she said she wants to reassure people that while it’s an issue needing to be tackled, it is not representative of the majority.
“I know the people of Northern Ireland are good people and I know I have had the most positive experience growing up here,” she added.
“What happened is not a reflection of who the people of Northern Ireland are.
“And it’s not one side that has to make the effort. We all have a part to play.”
Lata is keen to take Sausage Sodas and Onion Bhajis to women’s centres and community groups in the future, including to Shankill Women’s Centre.
“Women are great. They can break down barriers over a cup of tea,” she said.
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