Universal – Omnibus Theatre, London

A Drop in the Ocean

Writer: Kathryn Webb

Director: Lillian Waddington

Bhaijaan

Writer: Abir Mohammad

Director: Misha Domadia

Do We Have to Go Home?

Writer: Sarah Githugu

Director: Nicole Sawyerr

Galentine’s Day

Writer: Christine Ubochi

Director: Xanthus

Paintaz

Writer: Syeshia Sweeney

Directors: Chiedza Rwodzi and Hassan Govia

Questionable Love

Writer: Antonia Kleopa

Director: Rebecca Goh

Theatre company Unshaded Arts make a welcome return to Clapham’s Omnibus Theatre for a solid and likeable second series of 15-minute plays gathered under the overarching title, Universal. The sextet of new works feature central characters from diverse or marginalised ethnic backgrounds but aim to tell stories that resonate with a broader audience.

Many of the pieces feel like scenes or work-in-progress drawn from larger, more ambitious projects, a nod perhaps to the challenge even experienced writers have fitting a complete story into such a short period. That said, each play in its own way packs some dramatic punch. The six-page feedback form Unshaded Arts asks audience members to complete at the end of the show hints at larger ambitions for at least some of these pieces.

Abir Mohammad’s Bhaijaan (the title describes a respectful way of referring to an elder brother in Urdu) provokes the evening’s strongest emotional response. Loud, gregarious Zain (a tremendously natural turn from Samir Mahat) is at boxing practice but tonight his quieter Year 10 schoolmate Khafi (Rubayet Al Sharif) just does not feel like joining in. “Stop fucking touching me” Khafi shouts when the play-fighting gets too intense. Zain thinks his mate has girl problems, but what emerges in the boys’ conversation takes a much darker turn.

Writer Mohammad places the theme of child sexual abuse within the context of a strict Muslim family, where cultural homophobia, intensely hierarchical relationships, and the desire to maintain face at almost any cost complicates Khafi’s urgent need to be listened to. In Zain he finds a sympathetic confidante, but will anything change now that both boys’ secrets have been aired?

Antonia Kleopa’s Questionable Love also deals with abuse although in this case in the context of a failing relationship. Alex (an appropriately sinister Joshua Jewkes) is a fastidious, self-satisfied narcissistic who thinks he knows what his on-off psychotherapist girlfriend Amelia (Tomi Sunmonu) needs better than she does. What Amelia really wants is commitment, but Alex will not leave the comfort of his wife and family. The duelling duo are on a Christmas break overlooking a dangerous lake, and at least one of these characters is a lousy swimmer. An early conversation about death provides some ominous foreshadowing.

Kathryn Webb demonstrates a flair for characterisation in A Drop in the Ocean. Autistic chatterbox Gina (the sextet’s best performance from Alysha Nelson) abandons her mum in a beachside restaurant for an evening stroll on the sand. There she strikes up a decidedly one-sided conversation with the taciturn Abi (Christie Fewry), who has rocks in her pocket, an eye on the sea, and cannot swim. “I’m here for peace and quiet” Abi says, but that is not really why she is here.

The silent presence of Susannah (Saffron Ardern-Sodje) who may have been Abi’s sister or lover, hangs in the background like a glowering storm cloud. Gina sets out on a mission of salvation. Webb’s characters are credible because the writer takes time to focus on the details: “You purse your lips when you’re lying” Gina tells the despairing Abi.

Sarah Githugu’s Do We Have to Go Home? offers up an entertaining slice of St Patrick’s Day ‘will-they, won’t they’ romance when Nora (Mercedez Odeyemi gloriously attired in emerald-green) bumps into ladies-man Samson (Romario Williams) on the vain search for an elusive house-party. Christine Ubochi’s Galentine’s Day also deals with romantic liaisons. In this case lothario David’s (Keon Martial-Phillip) attempts to manage the demands of two Valentine’s night dinners with hairdresser Aisha (Dujonna Gift) and Instagram influencer Dami (Clarisse Zamba) head into trouble.

Syeshia Sweeney’s final piece Paintaz, here directed by Unshaded Art’s artistic leads Chiedza Rwodzi and Hassan Govia, provides a slice of comic relief. Much to her friend Marcel’s (Hassan Govia) chagrin, Teyana (Maria Yarjah) keeps turning into a cat. Could this be the result of some unresolved hypnosis at a Derren Brown performance? Daniela Lucinda Santos shines as painting instructor Bette.

Reviewed on 7 July 2023