Writer and Director: Laila Latifa
In this semi-autobiographical monologue, Manal, a mixed race woman with a Moroccan father and white English mother, prepares for her family coming over for a meagre final Iftar meal of pot noodle with dressing-free salad. It’s all she can afford on her Universal Credit. While she gets things ready she opens up to her white English boyfriend about herself and the reality that for some children with a conservative Muslim parent the danger of ‘honour killings’ is an ever-present, on-going threat.
Reading the adverting synopsis for this short 45-minute production the reader may be tempted to make assumptions about what they are about to see and carry on flicking through listing pages for something lighter. But in doing so they would miss out on this gem written and performed by Laila Latifa, who bravely lays herself bare with real warmth, wit and personality.
The harrowing topic in this play is not shoved in your face but due to excellent writing is just part of Manal’s life of traumas and insecurities. The main focus of the story is the family history of male violence and coercive control toward the female members of her family growing up and which carry on into adulthood. This threat of ‘honour’ killings and the mental health effects are dealt with sensitively through clever asides of pleas for help ignored by the police that can never end except through the dream of winning the lottery and escape.
What makes this play stand out is the clever writing and heartfelt performance from Latifa. Her character of Manal is well rounded and complex, based perhaps on real life events. She grows up in poverty on a council estate whilst going to an all-girls school. The story touches on eating disorders, body image, the toxicity of social media, and the loneliness of being the token non-white, impoverished, non-middle class friend. As Manal says herself she talks non-stop and in doing so during this play she manages to say so much so fast that the audience will be laughing at her joke before the tragedy of what has just been said kicks in.
This can make for uncomfortable viewing for the audience and Manal is unafraid to look straight into audience member’s eyes and makes direct challenges around white saviour syndrome, perfect considering this play is being shown on Upper Street Islington, the home of the left liberal elite.
Sound clips from real news broadcasts are played at points through the play with one interviewee saying poignantly ‘there is no honour in honour killing’, but Latifah here manages to honour the lives of Shafilea Ahmed and Amina and Sara Said to whom she dedicates this production.
Runs until 8 April 2023
