A PLAY containing only two actors is always a challenge, add to that the subject matter of the London bombings and it is a tricky one to pull off.
But Circle Line does not just pull it off, it blows the whole concept out of the window.
Tom Costello’s play is a stunning piece of visual theatre, combining music, film, movement and acting, with just two main characters and a band of three.
We begin in the now with Brian (Chris Greenwood) and Amina (Aisha Mirza who also wrote the music) bumping into each other on the tube, four years after they first met following the London bombings.
We then leap back and forwards in fragmented scenes, exploring their relationship, Amina’s search for her runaway friend, Tasmeen and in turn racial stereotypes.
Both actors are superb, Chris’ Brian, a stereotypical polite and slightly troubled young Englishman perfectly complements’ Aisha’s slight wacky Amina, a restless Muslim, searching for her place in life.
The music which comes in from time to time, sets off the moving piece and there are beautiful and catchy lines aplenty such as “London, the land of Rich Tea dreams.”
Both actors have strong voices and Aisha also plays the guitar on stage.
Despite the subject matter Circle Line is not schmaltzy or sentimental but honest, frank and powerful.
There are also lots of hilarious moments, mainly when Amina picks on Brian’s English naivety.
One scene sees her talking about Tasmeen’s father with her claims about his treatment getting more and more outlandish, starting off with her having to wear her veil even in the shower to him trying to stone her but finding it difficult with his hook, with Brian hanging on her every word.
The whole piece is only about an hour and an half (interspersed with an interval) but the time flew up, so gripped was I by the action unfolding in front of me.
Involving, touching and funny, Circle Line is experimental theatre at its best.
Circle Line, until Saturday (July 18), Studio Theatre, Broadway Theatre, Catford
Box Office 020 8690 0002
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