A Perth panto performer’s burgeoning acting career is hanging in the balance due to a visa wrangle which has already cost her a leading role.
Victoria Chen, 23, is desperate to continue working in the UK but is currently in France awaiting news on her visa status.
“Being born and raised in Singapore, I moved to Scotland in 2014 to train at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland,” explained Victoria.
“Having lived in Scotland for for over three years, there is no doubt that I have fallen in love with this place, and being the home that I choose, not the one I was born into, Scotland holds much significance for me.
“As such, I am extremely keen on remaining in Scotland and contributing to the cultural life here.”
Victoria has just completed a successful run as part of the cast of Aladdin at Perth Theatre where she also understudied the roles of Princess Jasmine, Aladdin and Wishy Washy.
She was required to leave Britain by January 20 but her plight had become all the more pressing when offered a plum role in London.
Despite the best efforts of the theatre company to obtain a Tier 5 visa for Victoria to appear in the off-West End Theatre role she has just been told they have withdrawn the offer for fear of becoming embroiled in a row over why an EU resident couldn’t have been given the role.
“The rules are very stringent and we cannot risk a challenge by the Home Office as we would lose our sponsorship status or risk you being turned away at the border before rehearsals start,” they said.
“I am sorry to disappoint you with this news. It is frustrating as we would love to work with you but we simply have no room for manoeuvre in the circumstances.”
Victoria believes that her quest to remain in Britain “holds political and social relevance”.
“During my time here I have only met one other East Asian woman who has performed in Scotland — Katie Leung of Harry Potter fame, who relocated to London,” she said.
“Being granted permission to stay in this country would definitely be a big step forward in my ambition to create work internationally, but more importantly, it’s my ability to contribute to Scottish theatre and performing arts.”
The Home Office said they didn’t comment on individual cases and all applications were considered on their merits.
