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Favour
Holloway Theatre, Bush Theatre
CELEBRATING its 50th year, the Bush Theatre is excelling in producing quality dramas reflecting working-class life in the capital.
After the success of both Red Pitch and House of Ife comes Ambreen Razia’s Favour, a co-production with Clean Break who specialise in work concerning women’s experience of the criminal justice system.
In this story that is primarily Aleena (Avita Jay), but the ripple effects are felt throughout the household she returns to after two years in prison.
Her mother Noor (Renu Brindle) and daughter Leila (Ashna Rabheru) await her arrival with a mixture of dread and anticipation, eventually leading to Leila having a panic attack when it is revealed that Aleena has been left to get the bus home.
When Aleena eventually arrives her frantic energy leaves us in little doubt that her return is going to be a shock to the sheltered system that Noor and Leila have created for themselves.
Leila’s strict routine meaning no sugar in the evening and a 100 per cent attendance at classes at the mosque are suddenly placed under threat by Aleena’s love-bombing — throwing her shindigs and promising her lavish shopping sprees.
Eventually Leila is forced into the impossible position of having to choose between her two mothers but not before a huge (slightly pantomime) bust-up between her mother and their larger-than-life neighbour Fozia (Rina Fatinia).
After a series of incendiary revelations, the choice Leila must make between the reliable but cold Noor, or the exhilarating unpredictability of Aleena is a microcosm of the play’s strengths.
Razia perceptively captures the push-and-pull dynamic of this multi-generational power struggle and it is heartbreaking to witness its consequences.
Her writing is complimented by superb characterisations from Brindle, Jay and Rabheru who bring truth and sincerity to their performances. Roisin McBrinn and Sophie Dillon Moniram’s considered co-direction and entrancing transitions balance the flows of high emotion cleverly on Liz Whitbread’s devilishly detailed kitchen sink set.
Favour is that powerful combination of enlightening and emotional. Don’t miss it.
Runs until August 6 2022. Box Office: www.bushtheatre.co.uk/
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