VITAMIN D at Soho Theatre

★★★★

“bursts with joy and warmth”

Saher Shah brings her excellent debut play back to London after its 2023 tour. Prepare to laugh, cry, and leave both dazed and dazzled.

Vitamin D explores the cultural taboo of divorce within British Pakistani communities with wit and warmth, and a hefty dose of emotion.

Larki, played by Shah, has returned home to Pinner, after the breakdown of her marriage in Manchester. Now she must deal with nosy neighbourhood aunties (played with pitch perfect comic timing by Zyna Goldy), friends who just want the best for her, and the nervously well-meaning ministrations of her mother (Renu Brindle). Larki doesn’t want to be a solicitor, she wants to be a poet. Also, she wants to be left alone. The second is definitely not going to happen.

The simple story is fleshed out by the strength of the performances. ‘Friend’ played by Anshula Bain is a force to be reckoned with, dominating the stage with epic dance moves, subtle acts of kindness, and gag after gag. Brindle’s performance stole it for me, quietly depicting a mother who wants to help but doesn’t know how.

Melina Namdar’s direction plays with the light and shade of the piece, blasting rap music (sound design by Riwa Saab) one minute and allowing space for quiet, intimate conversations the next. This private sphere of women is brought to life, depicting these familiar and real characters with tenderness and humour.

The slam poetry, which hangs the story together and offers insight into the protagonist’s inner turmoil, is the weakest part of the show. It should provide poignant relief to the high energy interactions, but it feels a little flat, especially in comparison to the strength of Shah’s dialogue, which is masterful.

Maariyah Sharjil’s set is draped with rugs and cushions, with projections of the handwritten notes that Larki scribbles throughout the show. It combines modern and traditional set design in a way which echoes the spirit of the show.

This is a show that feels important, and unusual. It’s discussing a serious and significant topic which needs more awareness, but it also bursts with joy and warmth.

VITAMIN D at Soho Theatre

Reviewed on 5th September 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Charles Flint

Previously reviewed at this venue:

THE DAO OF UNREPRESENTATIVE BRITISH CHINESE EXPERIENCE | ★★★★ | June 2024

BABY DINOSAUR | ★★★ | June 2024

JAZZ EMU | ★★★★★ | June 2024

BLIZZARD | ★★★★ | May 2024

BOYS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS | ★★★★ | April 2024

SPENCER JONES: MAKING FRIENDS | ★★★★ | April 2024

DON’T. MAKE. TEA. | ★★★★★ | March 2024

PUDDLES PITY PARTY | ★★ | March 2024

LUCY AND FRIENDS | ★★★★★ | February 2024

AMUSEMENTS | ★★★★ | February 2024

WISH YOU WEREN’T HERE | ★★★ | February 2024

REPARATIONS | ★★★ | February 2024

Vitamin D

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★★★½

“The imagery is striking evoked and passionately told”

Bitter Lemons follows two women’s intertwining narratives as they ready themselves for a vital moment in their careers, and a big personal decision.

After a successful run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023, the show has revived the same team for a London run. It bills itself as an issue play, centring around one moment in these women’s lives, but in many ways that detracts from the message of the piece.

We follow two women – Angelina (Shannon Hayes) and AJ (Chanel Waddock). AJ is a professional goalie and the ‘tart of the team’. Meanwhile Angelina is firmly implanted in the corporate world, having to prove to colleagues, clients and her own boyfriend that she is more than a diversity hire. The stories are superficially different, but connect and intersect throughout.

Writer and director Lucy Hayes’ script blends theatre and prose poetry. The imagery is striking evoked and passionately told. It is at its best when it weaves between the stories, allowing the characters to fly in quick fire entangled prose. But it also has a distancing effect, at times keeping the audience at arm’s length.

The script and performance is at the core of this piece, but Hayes’ direction allows these two aspects centre stage. Some muddied physical theatre does little to add to the atmosphere, but the staging is thoughtful, especially given the parallel narratives.

Chanel Waddock has a powerful physicality, blending comedy and poignancy while retaining a grounded stage presence. Shannon Hayes has excellent comic timing and a strong connection with the audience.

Hattie North’s sound design is throbbingly atmospheric. Creating both internal and external worlds through sound she gives the piece an urgent and purposeful pulse.

The set (Roisin Martindale) which has changed slightly from the Finge, is baffling until the final scene. For me, it wasn’t worth it for the reveal, but with a plastic backdrop curtain, blue Lino flooring and mirrored blocks it has a simple but clean feeling.

The show is quite busy. A lot of ideas are thrown around, and the women’s lives feel at times used to tick boxes of on trend messaging. There are some powerful moments but a lot of the ideas and commentary feels a little familiar. Splitting the narrative makes both stories feel a little undercooked and simplistic, with the characters feeling less well developed than they otherwise could have.

VITAMIN D at Soho Theatre

★★★★

“bursts with joy and warmth”

VITAMIN D at Soho Theatre

Reviewed on 5th September 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Charles Flint

Previously reviewed at this venue:

Vitamin D

Vitamin D

BITTER LEMONS at Park Theatre

★★★½

“The imagery is striking evoked and passionately told”

BITTER LEMONS at Park Theatre

Reviewed on 30th August 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Alex Brenner

Previously reviewed at this venue:

BITTER LEMONS

BITTER LEMONS