“An extremely captivating and enormously enjoyable show”
Set in and around the high rise building sites of Dubai, Carmen Nasr’s thought provoking work explores the contrast between the glittering, almost hedonistic lifestyle of those inhabiting the emirate and the stark reality endured by those building it.
The play explores the plight of the underpaid and poorly treated workforce, mainly migrants from India hoping to create a better life for their families back home. Alongside these workers are the ex-pats, living the dream and making huge amounts of cash by selling the luxury lifestyle to others.
Between these two opposite sides comes Clara (Miztli Rose Neville), a feisty young journalist and former close friend of Jamie (Nicholas Banks) one of the marketing team or a ‘Creative Digital PR Specialist’ as he calls himself. Under the guise of being a shopping correspondent covering an exhibition, she seeks to uncover the truth behind the alarming amount of workplace ‘accidents’ and deaths; a path that will lead her to betray her friend and expose herself to danger.
The design of the show (Bex Kemp) is incredibly simple yet remarkably effective. Who’d haev thought a few two feet square perspex boxes could be so adaptable? Subtle lighting (Robbie Butler) and a skillful use of sound (Jack Burton) alongside a few basic props take us effortlessly between scenes, whether we’re atop a skyscraper with the workers or out enjoying the indulgence of a boozy bar scene.
The two featured workers are portrayed well by Adi Chugh (as Amar) and Varun Sharma (as Tanveer), allowing the audience to feel their pain from the loves and lives they’ve left behind. It’s fair to say that the whole cast were believable and put on a deft performance; Nicholas Banks giving a particularly strong and perceptive portrayal of Jamie.
The show itself is very believable. It’s a situation which everyone knows goes on, but it’s more convenient and lucrative to brush it under the carpet.
This is a well researched piece and extremely engaging to watch. A credit to the writer and director (Georgie Staight) and the cast. Definitely in need of a longer run.
