Review: What Fatima Did…, Tara Theatre

This culturally relevant drama, What Fatima Did…, takes us back to 2009 London where a student’s decision to wear a hijab to school ignites a much bigger conversation on freedom of speech and human rights: a conversation everyone seems to be involved in but Fatima, the student in question. Showered with many comedic one liners, Atiha Sen Gupta’s writing beautifully balances the harsh topics of racism and Islamophobia with the need for accessible theatre for young audiences – not talking down to the audience, but rooting the piece in the identifiable environment of a sixth form class room. 

A full cast of professional theatre debuts has never looked so strong. Each is completely immersed in their fully developed characters. Even when the spotlight isn’t on them they continue to make character lead choices, down to the way they sit in the chair. A particular stand out is Amaka Whitney playing Stacey, whose timing and expressions makes the whole audience belly laugh. Whitney isn’t afraid to cut though the tension with quick remarks, really grounding the piece in a youthful setting. Equally, the audible annoyance, anger and disgust from the audience alone showcases Ben Lonergan’s effectiveness at playing George. Absolutely convincing as the racist 17 year old, his emotional delivery of conflicting feelings is so refined it truly is a performance all actors should take notes from.   

This fleshed out production has thoughtful set and costume by Maariyah SharJil, strengthening the characters with personalised, considered choices right down to the style of school bag each student owns. This helps build a time and a place beyond the four walls of the classroom the play is largely set in. The set is brought to life by the lighting choices of Rajiv Pattani, physically making the stage feel huge during the movement-heavy scene changes and lighting up a large scaffolding structure draped with stylised Union Flags, which physically cages the character of Fatima for the majority of the performance.  

The choice to not meet Fatima until the last moments of the show is a powerful commentary on identity. By haunting the narrative she has a much bigger impact. It allows the other characters’ true colours to show in regard to a bigger representation of Muslim communities being excluded from conversations that directly impact them without her presence influencing what we see. 

Direction by Rayan Ibrahim is very considered, incorporating the strengths of the space to make the piece feel very close to home. Every eye-roll and flick of the wrist is visible to the audience in the thrust stage configuration.  

This production is funded by an incredible scheme offering young people from a South Asian background support and opportunity to work in theatre on- and offstage. This Tara Theatre Young Company production proves how necessary these scheme are to produce exciting new pieces and is a real must see for theatre lovers and theatre newbies alike. 

How I have gone so long without ever stepping into this exciting local theatre space is beyond me. But it is safe to say this work produced at Tara Theatre is fresh, hard hitting and highly skilled. What Fatima Did… is nothing short of a breakout piece, leaving a long lasting impression indeed.  

Director: Adam Karim 
Playwright: Atiha Sen Gupta 
Set and Costume Designer: Maariyah SharJil 
Lighting Designer: Rajiv Pattani 
Sound Designer: Elliot Popeau-George 
Movement Director: Nicoletta Bonanni 
Production Manager: Grace Duff 

What Fatima Did… plays at Tara Theatre until Saturday 18 April.