A fantastic night out in a wonderful theatre
The Barbican Theatre with its 60s’ Brutalism juxtaposed with modern theatre-going comfort and decor is an appropriate setting for, The Buddha of Suburbia, a play set in a similar era, writes Michael Holland.
This stage adaptation of Hanif Kureishi’s book, by Emma Rice with Kureishi, tracks the journey of Karim escaping Bromley boredom, plus all the characters whose life he touches on the way.
The play opens with Karim (Dee Ahluwalia) summarising the 1970s and the problems his dual parentage (English mother – Katy Owen, Indian father – Ankur Bahl) creates.
The story of the family’s history is told in sketches on a multi-level set that, although seemingly random, combine to make a satisfying whole in a general air of joy as Karim navigates a way through his bisexuality along with the teenage troubles of the times for young brown men.
But as they dance and sing and enjoy an abundance of sex where every orgasm is comically accompanied by fireworks, there is always racism around the next corner, always National Front violence on the streets. The jokey skits are separated by poignant realism.
But Rice, who also directs, has made this a happy production where comedy is at the fore. The Buddha of Suburbia has an arranged marriage but this one has a different trajectory than what we expect. The play merrily meanders with pit stops for major incidents, and any sadness that visits Karim’s world is outweighed by hilarious scenes of pretentious theatre people, a South London orgy with a Pink Floyd soundtrack, and Karim doing his utmost to negotiate his mixed race and mixed sexuality. The ever-changing story is kept ever-interesting with historical facts that give context to the madness of a dysfunctional family. And as we leap from one tale to another we are drip-fed the secrets and the lies that actually keep the family functioning instead of imploding in a clash of cultural beliefs.
All the performances are excellent, each actor bringing their character to over-the-top life, but none more so than Ewan Wardrop’s theatre director Matthew Pyke; a brilliant portrayal of a pompous stereotype.
Having never read the book or seen the 1993 BBC series I have nothing to compare this adaptation to, but I can say that it is a fantastic night out in a wonderful theatre, and for that I can only say well done to Emma Rice and Hanif Kureishi for creating something excellent for the stage.
Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS until 16th November. Times: Mon – Sat 7.15pm; Thur & Sat matinees 1.30pm.
Admission: £25 – £85.
Booking: www.barbican.org.uk
