PARADISE, till 12 April

PARADISE: Amber Lone
Birmingham Rep, The Door: Tkts 0121 236 4455, www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Runs: 1h 15m, no interval, till 12 April
Review: Rod Dungate, 28 March 2003

An important issue, clearly handled, but extra depth in places would be welcome
Amber Lone is dealing with an issue high on the agenda for many of us: how is it that young people (men mostly) become fundamentalists, nationalists and, in the end, terrorists – fighting, they believe for the greater glory of God/ Allah? Lone is exploring this in terms of Muslim fundamentalism – it is interesting to note that in the Rep's Main House, Racing Demon presents, in Rev Tony Ferris, the equally frightening figure of a Christian fundamentalist.

Lone's story centres around Umar, a disaffected youth, unhappy at college and with no direction in life. He meets Younis, a graduate who has seen the light and passionately pursues both his religion and a struggle to better the plights of the many oppressed Muslims throughout the world. Step by step Umar divests himself of his Western trappings (fashion, music, eventually romance and the hope of happiness) as he adopts both traditional clothes and stricter cultural codes. The play moves inexorably to its tragic conclusion.

Lone tells her story with disarming simplicity and emphasises the notion of senseless loss through the characters of Umar's mother and girl-friend – their humanity and spirit is set against the cold certainty of religious fervour. What I would have welcomed, though, is a closer look at the complexities surrounding Umar's development – more passion to drive the teacher and his disciple. I'm not certain at the end of the day about Umar's position – is he a 110 per cent believer in the cause, like Younis his model, or is he caught up in a spiral of events from which he can't escape?

Imran Ali has great charm in his earlier scenes: we are indeed sorry to see him throw this away, the loss is palpable. Jaleel Akhtar presents a fine dangerous edge in his certainty while Pooja Kumar is warm and generous as Umar's mother. (Mother and son beautifully show their close relationship early on.) Hema Mangoo's Samina (Umar's girl-friend) is gentle, bright, caring and the way forward.

Younis: Jaleel Akhtar
Umar: Imran Ali
Sabha: Pooja Kumar
Samina: Hema Mangoo

Director: Ben Payne
Designer: Janet Vaughan
Lighting and Projection Design: Arnim Friess

2003-03-31 08:06:45