This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour saw The Buddha of Suburbia at the invite of The RSC, Swan Theatre
By Dave Massey twitter.com/BrumHour
Review: The Buddha of Suburbia at The RSC, Swan Theatre
⭐⭐⭐⭐Nostalgic and Naughty
Directed and Co-Adapted by Emma Rice, Written and Co-Adaptor by Hanif Kureishi
Karim, our narrator (Dee Ahluwalia) has plenty to tell us about his world, Indian father (Ankur Bahl) white British mother (Bettrys Jones), he is sleeping with his friend Jamila (Natasha Jayetileke) and sometimes Charlie (Tommy Belshaw). Except Karim’s father is also having an affair with Charlie’s mother Eva (Lucy Thackeray). Following so far? No?
Through Karim’s eyes, the 70s initially are a sexy funky place with initially broader hints of the horrible undercurrents of discrimination and anger towards people who are different in the UK, he then embarks on a career path as an actor.
Distilling this story into 150 minutes is not easy and Emma Rice’s trademarks are clear to see, the ensemble troubadour style cast and the energy and sex scenes being less uncomfortable to watch.
Dee Ahluwalia is likeable and confident as young Karim but he’s got tough competition from this talented pack of actors including Ewan Wardrop as Matthew the Director and Rina Fatania in a variety of roles! Both A-class scene-stealers!
The multi level set is connected by a staircase and keeps the staging simple when moving from scene to scene, whilst lighting comes from time to time in the form of disco balls creating a very fun atmosphere. The music is also very nostalgic, evoking a time almost 45 years ago.
I enjoyed a lot about this performance, its cheeky nature breaking the forth wall plenty of times to acknowledge the audience watching. The press night invited audience seemed to love all the theatre references but will a more mainstream audience feel as connected to it or is it ultimately of its time? Flirty, sexy and a little bit naughty?
The Buddha of Suburbia is at The RSC, Swan Theatre until 1st June. Book tickets here: rsc.org.uk/the-buddha-of-suburbia
