Lunchbox is about the impact of bullying, through the eyes of a troubled Scottish boy, Steven and Pakistani girl, Lubna. Can two teenagers brought up in the same street in Glasgow have different outcomes in life? Can Lubna navigate being bullied without telling her parents about it, not wanting to add to their burden? What role do school lunchtime clubs play? Can Steven the bully be redeemed and find his purpose in life? Do teachers have influence in shaping their students’ lives? Or is a life of crime destined for Steven? This play examines the nature vs nurture debate.’

Corr Blimey is more than excited to catch the final part of the ‘Box’ trilogy from a truly brilliant local talent. Luba Kerr’s Lunchbox will be at The Green at Pleasance, and Kerr was kind enough to speak with the team to kick of our Have a Gander at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe season for 2025.

Lubna’s previous show, Chatterbox, will also run in August. Tickets for which may be obtained here.

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Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show/event/performance is?

Lunchbox is a one-woman show and is the final part of the “ BOX” trilogy of my life as a Pakistani immigrant girl growing up in Glasgow. There are 8 characters some familiar and some new. Who will you recognise?

I was also asked by Pleasance to bring back Chatterbox for the second half of the Fringe for the schools programme, and I am delighted. It’s about life in primary school when I was called stupid for not being able to speak English.

Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?

I first worked with Jen McGregor as dramaturge. We have worked on all the box-themed plays, and Jen has a very good understanding about my life and background. I then worked with Charity Trim as editor. Charity and I worked together on Chatterbox too and she was used to editing but also to ensure we had some lighter moments in the play. Then I worked with Ihsan Kerr who is my son. This was a new partnership and we worked closely to ensure that the play was able to deliver a meaning and metaphor that will last past the performance.

I have just started to work with Emily Ingram as director, I worked with her on Chatterbox and it was so good I wanted to do it again.

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How does it feel coming to the Fringe?

I love coming to the Fringe, it’s the best part of the year. Seeing old friends and making new ones is magical.

With shows from all over the world at the Fringe, what sets yours apart?

It’s by an older woman of colour, something that we don’t see much of anywhere.

However the theme of bullying is universal and will attract a wide range of audiences of every age. Being picked on wasn’t just happening when I was growing up, it’s still happening at all ages and all places.

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Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?

I want the audience to think about who did they write-off in life?  Who could they have given a hand to?  Whose life did they assume was a waste? Who will they be clapping for? Have they forgiven the bully/ies?

Your Ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t…?

Anyone who has been a part of bullying, either been bullied or watched it happen and did nothing. I want the bullies to come along and perhaps forgive themselves.

This is for everyone: children, school teachers, parents, and employees.

It’s not for Daleks or Cybermen! They still scare me.

It’s an intense month, so where you’re able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or want to recommend?

I will relax by not staying up too late, pacing myself with social events and cake. I want to see shows that come from abroad as it’s much cheaper to see them here than to travel !

In your ideal world, how can we improve the Fringe, performance, and the industry?

This is such a huge question.  Fringeless forms to fill in, and more cross communication between their different departments. Make the accessibility add-on free for performers.

Make performances more accessible. I am having BSL interpreting and am part of the Deaf Festival.  I am having captioning too.

For people who are blind or partially sighted I will be having a touch tour and a prerecorded background information about the characters that anyone can access on the Pleasance website. I would love to add live audio too but there is a limit to my finances.

Improve the industry by encouraging them to think more about accessibility.

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Interested in being featured on our Have a Gander page? With many previews and Q&As lined up, we’re always happy to chat about including your show in future articles. Please do get in touch through the contact page to feature in an upcoming ‘Have A Gander’