When the night begins

Review by Ajay Pamneja
Press Night 11th March 2004 (Hampstead Theatre, London)

A play by Hanif Kureishi currently being shown at the Hampstead Theatre, London.

A brilliant piece of theatre being marketed as a psychological thriller by the very marketable Hanif Kureishi. The play is a slight 'change of path' in style compared to his previous works like My Beautiful Launderette, The Buddha Of Suburbia and The Mother, but just as intense. With a cast like Michael Penington and Catherine McCormack, I expected nothing less

The play is directed by Hampstead's Anthony Clark and designed by Patrick Connellan. Lighting is by Paul Pyant and sound by Gregory Clarke. 

The 1 hour 20 minute long play with no interval is an optimal layout for this play. The intensity of feelings and the roller coaster moves of sympathy from one to the other could have only worked well in this fashion. The relationship of the two main characters in the play is not obvious at the beginning, but as expected from the master story teller which Hanif Kureishi is, it is all revealed in impervious layers and you cannot see what is coming next. An old man living in a a desolate flat in London leading a life which revolves around the local cafe and the betting shop meets this young woman who has traveled around the world and has several houses in many countries and not 'short of cash', an artist, a painter who is about to have a portrait exhibition of her work displayed at a gallery in Venice. What brings the two together and how could they have a common past? This is what this thriller is made of and told in such a masterly fashion which keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the play.

A single young male who has enjoyed his single life style occasionally interrupted by the visits to his friend's family sometimes makes him feel lonely. When he chances upon a desperate woman with two children offering him an 'instant family' he takes the opportunity. He works hard to earn a living and aims to be accepted by his new found 'woman and children'. The upbringing has already taken its toll and the children have chosen their paths which conflicts with the man's expectations and all dreams are shattered for all.  'Bringing up a family is harder than being at war' is mentioned in the play. Did the man choose to be part of the family because he wanted both the women in the family? Such strong sentiments! A few comments on the lives of 'artists' and the rich like '...the widows of all rich men are artists...' and '...every house I knew had a studio...' form some of the subtle themes for this play. Another strong underlying sentiment in the play is highlighted in the line '...only women under 25 are beautiful' while subtly mentioning the images created by the media.

The play has a good dose of humour to throw in some lighter moments alongside posing questions like 'Is it possible to be seen as helping the maltreated and being the violator of others' rights at the same time?', 'Are all men who accept to live with other's children paedophiles?'.

Lights and the stage setting/decor were perfect.  With moments of romantic interludes, aggression, humour and art, this play is definite to woo the audiences and is destined for greater heights.