Review: My Beautiful Laundrette, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch

Review: My Beautiful Laundrette, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch

Summary

Rating

60

Good

A nostalgic reimagining of an iconic gay romantic comedy-drama, but one which lacks passion.

My Beautiful Laundrette is a 1985 British romantic comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Frears from a screenplay by Hanif Kureishi. I first saw the film on Channel 4 in the 90’s and as a closeted gay young man it had a major impact on me. So when I heard that Kureishi had been asked to adapt his screenplay for a stage production I was excited to see it. Originally devised in 2019, for various reasons it has only now finally begun its UK tour.

The story focuses on Omar, a young Pakistani-British man living in South London during the mid-1980s, played by Lucca Chadwick-Patel. His father, once a famous activist in Pakistan, has become disillusioned with life in Thatcherite Britain and has sunk into alcoholism, with Omar as his only caregiver. Papa (named Hussein in the film), is played by Gordon Warnecke, who originated the role of Omar in the movie, so it’s a lovely echo of the past seeing him in this production. Omar is employed by his uncle Nasser (Kammy Darweish), and eventually manages one of his laundrettes. Nasser is keen to give Omar opportunities to better himself, but he also wants him to marry his daughter Tania (Sharan Phull). Tania is struggling to bridge the gap between her British and Pakistani identities. She isn’t ready to accept the conservative role expected of women in her community when she sees all the possibilities on offer for women in Conservative Britain. She is also frustrated by her father, who is having an affair with a British woman, Rachel (Emma Brown). We additionally meet Salim (Hareet Deol), who works for Nasser but is also dealing drugs.

In contrast to this group, Johnny (Sam Mitchell) is a former school friend of Omar’s and now part of a right-wing gang who hate the changing face of their community, with racist language and attitudes that reflect this. The gang consists of the menacing Genghis (Paddy Daly), and Moose, brilliantly played by the versatile Brown, who has some brilliantly executed costume changes. The two groups collide and a love affair between Omar and Johnny blossoms. Feelings that were dormant are expressed and their lives change direction.

In the film there is an iconic scene when Omar and Johnny make love behind a two-way mirror, and although this is hinted at in the play it is not fully realised. In some ways it becomes only a comedy moment and this is a major flaw in the production. Although their relationship grows and is challenged, this central romance doesn’t ring true. I don’t know whether this is due to the increased representation of LGBT+ relationships, which I applaud, but compared to the film there is no real jeopardy for them and the passion is lost. Johnny is savagely attacked whilst protecting Salim in the original film but this is downplayed on stage, even though the fight sequences are choreographed very effectively, marked by the groans and winces from the audience around me!

I was left wanting more but nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed the nostalgia of an important time in my youth, evoked by the soundtrack featuring both back catalogue and new music from the Pet Shop Boys and performed by a very talented cast.

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Written by: Hanif Kureishi
Directed by: Nicole Behan
Set and costume design by: Grace Smart
Music composed by: Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe
Lighting Design by: Ben Cracknell
Sound design by: Tom Marshall
Fight sequences directed by: Bret Young
Produced by: Curve

My Beautiful Laundrette plays at Queen’s Theatre until 9 March before continuing its tour. Further information and bookings for Queen’s Theatre can be found here, details of the tour dates can be found here.