Gareth's Culture and Travel Blog

Theatre 503 is both pioneering and unique in staging only debut plays. The process of reading and workshopping that precedes their staging is exemplary. This play by Zak Zarafshan is just one of many they have nurtured. I saw it a few days after I saw another first play, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, get a West End production, and it is in my view a far better play. In a theatre in room above a pub in Battersea for a fraction of the price.

The two boys in question are best friends, at primary school in middle class suburbia. Their parents are friends too, well at least one each, and they meet to discuss what to do about it. One is an opposite sex couple and one a same sex couple. The former assume the son of the latter initiated the kiss, which leads to a clash between them. The school parents WhatsApp group ensures matters escalate. One particular busybody, a governor, broadens the discussion to include what she considers inappropriate reading matter. The son of the same sex couple is ostracised.

In an audacious move, we are introduced to two gay angels who act as commentators and narrators but also morph into other characters. This broadens the debate even further and by the interval a multiplicity of issues have emerged, perhaps a touch too many, though broadly covering similar grounds – prejudice, presumption and intolerance. The angels add a playfulness that accentuates and illustrates rather than detracts from the themes, whilst bringing a wicked humour which adds much to the play. The various strands come together in the second half and the play reaches a very satisfying conclusion. Thought-provoking and hugely entertaining at the same time.

There are six excellent performances, an impressive design by Aldo Vazquez and first class production values. Director Lisa Spirling’s staging crackles and sparkles. There’s no question in my mind that we’ll be hearing a lot more from Zak Zarafshan, hopefully including a further life for this play. A great night in the theatre.