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Who is Abulkasem? Initially, in this sassy, street-smart production about Muslim identity, he's an archetypal Arab marauder in Swedish literary giant Carl-Jonas-Love Almqvist's 1835 play, 'Signora Luna'. Before long, two hoodie-wearing boys from the stalls interrupt a straight performance of this classic, rudely co-opting the dramatic action.
For Arvind and Co, Abulkasem is an act of linguistic banditry, and later a desperate chat-up line in a downtrodden bar. Arvind's dramatic heist turns out to be the first of many in Swedish writer Jonas Hassen Khemiri's dazzlingly meta-dramatic play.
For a panel of Swedish academics, Abulkasem is a jihadi terrorsit; for a harassed young student in a bar he is a brilliant Arab female theatre director; to a marooned Bosnian refugee he's a vague racist threat; and, tying all these disparate tales together, Abulkasem is a news item, starring the playwright's younger brother.
Director Jamie Harper propels this theatrical Escher print forwards at a furious pace, and cumulatively the shards of dramatic styles and scenarios make a perfect, deranged sense: Muslims in the West today stare into just such a broken mirror of irreconcilable mythologies. The four-strong cast is assured, Mariam Haque and William El-Gardi in particular deliver mercurial comic performances in their myriad incarnations. And while Khemiri's unending Pirandellian tricks occasionally tire, this constitutes a cracking debut from Tooting Arts Club - a fringe production of the first order.
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A fabulous play!! Very well done to an amazing cast and skilled director. An absolute must see - and enjoy the nice pub, too!
Must first experience of Pub Theatre and what a show to pick. Came away wanting to tell the whole world to see this type of Theatre where you are in the heart of the stage enjoying a fantastic and topical play. Did not know you can get such great acting at such reasonable ticket prices. PS I do not work for their Marketing Department
A must see! Wonderful cast, great directing...a brilliant production!!! Enjoy the pub before and after the show!!!
An incredible first play from the newly formed Tooting Arts Club! A refreshing choice, both topical and engaging - just what the doctor ordered. A thoroughly enjoyable night and well worth the trip to Tooting. Thank-you Tooting Arts Club, what’s next?
A very topical and thought provoking piece. Well acted , well directed and well worth the trip to Tooting--nice pub too.
A very topical and thought provoking play. Well acted, well directed and a great start for the newly formed Tooting Arts Club. Go and see it!
intelligent, thought provoking play, very well presented worth making the effort to see even if you have to travel on a cold damp winter evening.
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