Wish You Were Here is the newest play from Sanaz Toossi which depicts female friendships in Iran during late 1970s to the early 1990s. Showing the balance of keeping their bond and the eventual break of this bond, these five women discuss their lives amidst political and personal change.
The play is set during the wedding of Salme (Emily Renée); a bit nervous and unsure about this big step in her life, her friends help her calm her nerves. Shideh (Isabella Nefar) is the troubled one who dreams to become a doctor. Salme is the spiritual one and close to Nazanin (Afsaneh Dehrouyeh), the troublesome of them. There is also Zari (Maryam Grace) and Rana (Juliette Motamed), the latter of whom is Jewish.
The setting of this production is beautifully intimate to make the audience connected to the characters and relate to them. The sound helps to move the concept of time along and keeps to the Iranian culture. The lighting reflects the mood which goes from bridal brightness to candlelight during the Iraq/Iran war.
Each character brings a unique energy and balances the friendship: Salme’s naive personality gives way to a kindness in how she treats everyone, while Rana, the group’s only Jewish friend, embodies a presence whose sudden absence leaves a hole within the group. Shideh, is peculiar yet enchanting as through her aspirations to study abroad, while Zari adapts to her surroundings, her joy carrying her through shifting bonds. Nazanin’s journey shows her struggle to grapple with her own changing vision for her life in the middle of the group’s changing dynamic.
Wish You Were Here is currently playing at The Gate Theatre until 23rd November.
Get your tickets here: https://www.gatetheatre.co.uk/wish-you-were-here-uk-premiere/tickets
WRITTEN BY: Nura Arooj
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