Losing the faith: Navin Chowdhry (Kash) and Claire Calbraith (Natalie). Photo credit: Mark Douet
Play: Multitudes
Theatre: Tricycle Theatre
Playwright: John Hollingworth
Director: Indhu Rubasingham
Review by Esha Chaman
As the title suggests, Multitudes covers people of diverse backgrounds and their concerns and perceptions of Britishness. The timing of the play couldn’t be more apt with a forthcoming General Election in May and a national conversation focused on politics, immigration and radicalisation. All of which makes this play a conscientious triumph from first-time playwright John Hollingworth.
One of Britain’s most diverse cities, Bradford, is in turmoil as it awaits a Conservative Party Conference and a visit from the Prime Minister. As a peaceful protest camp of mostly women builds around the Town Hall in opposition to the party conference and military involvement in the Middle East, the rising tensions set to engulf the city also closes in on one family.
Local councillor and liberal proud-to-be British Muslim Kash (Navin Chowdhry), prepares to deliver a speech at the conference, but is forced to pacify the conflicts which threaten to tear apart his family life and relationship with his newly Muslim converted girlfriend Natalie (Clare Calbraith).
Kash’s concerns flit from how Natalie’s conversion to Islam will reflect on him politically, to the radicalised views of his teenage daughter Qadira (Salma Hoque), who openly denounces her British identity. But Kash also finds himself having to reassert his Britishness to Natalie’s mum, council worker Lyn (Jacqueline King), who takes everyone by surprise with her prejudiced views that immigration and “the multiculturalism project doesn’t work”.
As the conference draws closer, the tensions escalate into violent riots at the protest camp. Qadira befriends a mysterious representative of an extremist group (Maya Sondhi), and finds herself drawn into a plot to blight the conference.
Despite Kash’s disapproval, Natalie finds herself caught in the middle of the Muslim community, her mother Lyn and the vitriol of prejudiced white thugs who call her a “traitor”. Her relationship with Kash takes a turn for the worse as he confesses that he is embarrassed by her actions.
With Kash on course to deliver his speech, Qadira is saddled with a task assigned to her by the extremist group which triggers a tragic end.
Multitudes is an incredibly well-executed and topical exploration of the divisive nature of British politics, and ongoing concerns about Britishness and faith. Your sympathies move from one character to the next as they each question their individual identities and how they define and fit into the notion of Britishness.
Hollingworth’s characterisation is nuanced and successfully balances the diverse points of view from a Muslim teenager flirting with religious extremism (convincingly played by Salma Hoque), to Natalie’s bemoaning mother – an animated performance by Jacqueline King. No point of view is left out as Natalie’s unique position as a new convert, emotionally portrayed by Clare Calbraith, offers an insight into being trapped between two communities which judge her.
As for Navin Chowdhry, he expresses Kash’s frustrations and fears profoundly as he yearns to be accepted as British and to dismantle the negative perceptions of Muslims.
Both Asif Khan and Maya Sondhi give commendable performances as they fill up to ten supporting roles between them. The play does pander to stereotypes somewhat, with the silent and foreboding extremist costumed in a niqab to represent a radicalised character, and Qadira’s fate feels quite punishing.
The relevance of Multitudes, in light of recent events featuring ISIS, makes a visit to the Tricycle Theatre to see this play a priority.
Multitudes is at the Tricycle Theatre until 21 March 2015.