Shades ****
This article was first published on tntonline.co.uk on Friday 13 February 2009 10:17 GMT.
The Royal Court’s New Writers Festival gets off to an accomplished and exceptionally enjoyable start with this warm, witty and rather wise social drama from Alia Bano. The subject matter isn’t especially original – independent, educated modern Muslim girl seeks like-minded male from similar background who wants to settle down, marry and have kids. But Bano uses a light touch to explore serious issues, and adds a further complication in the shape of a couple of gay male flatmates, one white, one Bengali.
Right from the start, the snappy dialogue engages. Sabrina (a successful events organiser – long hours, too much socialising, and definitely not an appropriate career for a good Muslim wife) emerges from a half-hearted attempt at speed-dating which has yielded the usual crop of unsuitable candidates, plus good-looking Ali. His intrusive questioning and oily persistence put him firmly in the reject pile but also (for a Western audience) set out the prejudices facing Sabrina.
Love can grow in unexpected places, though - even accountants can be more than just a suit - and Bano sheds light on the often unacceptable compromises young Muslim women are expected to make to satisfy close knit families and the religious faith which unites them.
Nina Raine’s well-acted production, with the stage a traverse catwalk, is as nifty as the writing, and Stephanie Street’s Westernised Sabrina draws gasps from the audience as she tentatively covers her head with a hijab in an attempt to keep her man.
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1 (020 7565 5000) until 21st February (£10-£15)
The Royal Court’s New Writers Festival gets off to an accomplished and exceptionally enjoyable start with this warm, witty and rather wise social drama from Alia Bano. The subject matter isn’t especially original – independent, educated modern Muslim girl seeks like-minded male from similar background who wants to settle down, marry and have kids. But Bano uses a light touch to explore serious issues, and adds a further complication in the shape of a couple of gay male flatmates, one white, one Bengali.
Right from the start, the snappy dialogue engages. Sabrina (a successful events organiser – long hours, too much socialising, and definitely not an appropriate career for a good Muslim wife) emerges from a half-hearted attempt at speed-dating which has yielded the usual crop of unsuitable candidates, plus good-looking Ali. His intrusive questioning and oily persistence put him firmly in the reject pile but also (for a Western audience) set out the prejudices facing Sabrina.
Love can grow in unexpected places, though - even accountants can be more than just a suit - and Bano sheds light on the often unacceptable compromises young Muslim women are expected to make to satisfy close knit families and the religious faith which unites them.
Nina Raine’s well-acted production, with the stage a traverse catwalk, is as nifty as the writing, and Stephanie Street’s Westernised Sabrina draws gasps from the audience as she tentatively covers her head with a hijab in an attempt to keep her man.
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1 (020 7565 5000) until 21st February (£10-£15)
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