Sonali Bhattacharyya’s play challenges the Government’s Prevent policy through the eyes of three teenage girls who battle their way through to fight for their voices to be heard.
The power of comedy can be such that it can leave you thinking about serious issues long after the show has finished – and this is something that is very much the case with Sonali Bhattacharyya’s Liberation Squares which is currently touring until the 8th June.
Liberation Squares follows the story of Ruqaya, Sabi and Xara who find themselves in an intensely difficult situation when a video that they record and post online leads them to become the focus of the government’s prevent policy – a policy that is designed to prevent those who are vulnerable to get involved with acts of terrorism. It is an act that requires all civil servants to keep an eye out for anyone who shows signs of being radicalised – in this case three teenagers taking part in Safe Sisters (a place to encourage a passion for writing and expressing themselves as the local library is shut down).
The play is about fighting back for the right for self expression (and it is very clear here that the naivety of the three friends in question doesn’t make them interested in terrorism), but also racism, bullying and the influence on social media and the impact it has on their lives and the choices that they make. The script is funny and you can feel the bond between them all but it also increasingly packs a punch when it comes to dealing with the fall out of the video that the girls post online and the implications it will have on their future.
While the script knows how to get the balance between covering a serious issue with passion with comedy, it feels that it takes a little too long to make its point. Some of the conversations that the characters have meander slightly and don’t quite make the impact that it should do. But in terms of teenagers trying to deal with an adult type situation it does make for fascinating viewing.
Milli Bhatia’s production is filled with passion and energy, drawing out compelling performances from all of the cast. Bhatia is able to draw out all of the emotion possible from each scene: jealousy as one friend favours another, anger at betrayal, passion at fighting back to get their voice heard are just a few examples. Meanwhile, the comedy aspects of the script are also captured well in the way in which it showcases the friendship and changing relationship that each character has with each other.
While the design of the production is relatively simple, it can also be a sensory overload particularly in regards to the sound design which while helps to punctuate certain points just feels unnecessary in places, as does the elongated scene changes which feel more distracting than anything else.
But nothing can be faulted with the performances by the cast, who give life to their characters with great eloquence. Halema Hussain’s Xara might seem vain in the way in which she casually throws out how many views her video has had but there is also no denying her passion and drive to use her voice, enhanced by Hussain’s sharp witted delivery. Vaneekka Dadhria as Ruqaya has a great comic timing as well as solid beatboxing skills, while Asha Hasan as Sabi has a great character arc that sees her develop in strength and power as the story unfolds to a pleasing climax. Together, they all have a great strength and bond that makes the story grounded and believable.
Overall, it is a thought provoking and empowering piece of theatre that will certainly resonate with many. It is a reminder of the power of our voices in the face of adversity.
By Emma Clarendon
Liberation Squares continues to play at the Brixton House until the 11th May before continuing to tour.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐