London, 2013. Anya, a young Romanian woman, has been in London for several months struggling to improve her English and finds a job as a music teacher. She moves in with her black British boyfriend Wes, and together they are trying to hold on to Anya’s dream of being a music teacher and Wes’ dream of succeeding as a jazz musician. This is their story and of the people they meet, all connected by tragedy to varying degrees. Everyone will be changed for ever by the events they live through.
City Melodies themes concern the fragmented sense of home and the impermanence of life as explored through the experiences of first and second generation immigrants to London. Other themes include the negative repercussions of putting people into boxes based on a prejudiced response to the unknown. Finally, the theme of persevering despite adversity and pursuing your dream is also explored.
The play is composed of a series of interlocking monologues, straight to audience address sections and traditional duologue scenes.