Ryman and the Sheikh

Tamasha Theatre Company
by Ajay Pamneja

The latest production from the Tamasha Theatre Company is a fast paced TV show... with a difference.  It's on stage.

It shows two characters who are the actors/presenters on this new TV channel being lauched into the UK. The two hosts for the roadshow are poles apart in their personality, beliefs and cultures but with the same aim - 'I want to have the higher ratings'. Despite working together they are working against each other - unknowingly. A satire on our vanity, civility, desire for fame and lengths we will go to 'to be accepted' in a distant host community.

A very fast paced comedy with two excellent performances by Rehan Sheikh and Chris Ryman. Ryman is a 'cool geezer' from Portabello who is 'so cosmopolitan' that he oozes of all cultures except his own - he has even changed his name. Sheikh is a Pakistan based presenter/actor who is working with and at the same time competing against this young 'dude' Ryman. He has played minor parts in many soaps and now dreams of his own productions. In the process, both have things to hide from their past which they do not want exposed as that would affect their 'ratings'. 

In this world of showbiz, you can sacrifice the company your loved ones, the beliefs & the culture you were brought up with and expose the 'skeletons' of your colleagues if this will 'UP' your acceptance amongst your audience. The two main charactes joke with each other, get emotional & nostalgic, argue and apologise during the performance to expose the hypocrisy of all that is showbiz.

A step away from their usual productions, Tamasha have brought together this excellent production which has had some rave reviews for their recent performances at the Edinburgh festival. Still follows their trend of bringing to the forefront international issues and new talent. The London launch of the show at the Soho Theatre was attended by many well known personalities like Greg Proops, the comedian from 'Whose line Is It Anyway', Jimi Mistry (The Guru) and many other key theatre figures.