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An engaging story of the experiences faced by those who try to navigate their lives across two sets of cultures, identities and expectations.Summary
Rating
Excellent
‘Out of sorts’ very well describes the central character of Zara (Nassima Bouchenak), a young British-Kurd, as she navigates the uncertainties and challenges of trying to fit into the vastly different expectations of two different cultures. Her immigrant family expect her to progress her career and hope for her to settle into an early marriage, whilst her British friend encourages a free-spirited lifestyle, living a fun life to the full. Zara does her best to navigate these expectations whilst also trying to decide what she wants for her own life and whether she can truly be herself as she tries to fit into both cultures.
This is a deep script that raises a lot of very thought-provoking questions about culture and identity; how much freedom we have to truly choose for ourselves and how much we feel the need to act up to fit in with expectations put upon us. The characters are very well-rounded in conveying their own opinions on these issues, and the audience can see both the positives in their points of view and the difficulties that these cause for Zara. The two sets of characters from the two sides of Zara’s life rarely interact with each other, which heightens the sense that she is truly stepping between two distinct worlds.
These story themes are brilliantly conveyed by the cast, who have very believable dynamics as units of family and friends. Bouchenak is captivating as Zara, perfectly conveying a variety of emotion and thought, both outward and inward, throughout the story, ranging from false cheerfulness to shock and self-shame. Zarah’s family comprises of Father Hüseyin (Şükrü Demir) who is enthusiastic and proud of his daughter but very firm in upholding his traditional beliefs, mother Leyla (Nadine Gharzeddine) who is more sympathetic and concerned, and there is a wonderful rapport with sister Fatma (Trina Bhattacharya), who is protective of the family and is both loving and argumentative. Zara’s British best friend, boss and flatmate Alice (Lily Walters) is perky, well-meaning but naive to her friend’s distresses (sometimes caused by Alice herself). Although Cedric Dumornay has only a few scenes as Alice’s boyfriend Anthony, he adds a great deal to the discussion on crossing-cultures and experiences of unintended insensitivities, both receiving and causing.
This duality in Zara’s two competing lifestyles is perfectly represented in the stage design, which is split down the middle. On one side is the family council flat living room where many deep discussions are held around the comfortable dinner table, including the merits of Kurdish over British styles of food. The other side holds the kitchen of the flat shared by Zara and Alice, the counter covered with bottles of alcohol and packages of health food. There is a small space in the middle where Zara can pause and contemplate her switch of characterisations before moving across sides. Scenes are often accompanied by contrasting music; traditional Kurdish folk music on one side and western pop songs on the other. Costume choices subtly but immediately convey which side of the two cultural divide each character falls on.
This is a very well-acted play which has great moments of humour throughout the serious thought-provoking discussions. Not everything gets resolved nearly in the end, which is very true to life as many people will always experience a sense of questioning their identity and place in the world. This is a show most definitely well worth experiencing, which will leave you with a greater understanding of the issues faced by those living in two cultures.
Written by: Danusia Samal
Directed by: Özlem Taş
Set Design: Millie Weston & Freya Alexander
Costume Design: Poppy Hill and Lucy White
Lighting Design: Steven Cox
Out of Sorts plays at Tower Theatre until 15 June. Further information and bookings can be found here.
