Favour – Bush Theatre / Clean Break, London

A review of Favour, an intergenerational drama by Ambreen Razia on now at the Bush Theatre. Powerful themes and strong performances from this all-female cast.

Favour

It has been a busy week for the Bush Theatre! Earlier in the week we saw Nikhil Parmar’s Invisible in their Studio space; today it’s Favour on the main stage. Favour is a co-production by the Bush and women’s theatre company Clean Break. Clean Break members have lived experience of the criminal justice system (or are at risk of entering it). This is pertinent to the story of Favour, an intergenerational story of a working class family whose dynamics are upended when Aleena (played by Avita Jay) returns from serving time in prison. Her return is the catalyst for an exploration of parenting, faith, mental illness and addiction, and the harm engendered by living your life for others instead of yourself.

Ambreen Razia’s narrative is simple at heart. We open on Noor (Renu Brindle) and Leila (Ashna Rabheru) at home. Their nervous energy is quickly explained: they are waiting for Aleena, who was due back last night. Rabheru’s wide-eyed innocence is perfect for the touching scene where mother and daughter are reunited, and must get to know each other once more after two years apart. From well-intentioned beginnings, Aleena, Leila and Noor must navigate the difficulties of resetting their family dynamic, feeling out boundaries, and facing pressure from their close-knit community.

Favour doesn’t shy away from the difficulties faced by women who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. I read in the Evening Standard that women in HM Prison New Hall in Wakefield helped develop some scenes. This lived experience comes through in the play’s strongly authentic aura. Aleena, Noor and Leila all carried expectations of what this moment of reunification would bring; expectations which they must slowly temper with reality before the play’s conclusion brings them to a ‘new normal’.

Living For Yourself, Not Others

A theme which I pondered during Favour was the crushing pressure (and ultimate futility) of living your life for others. Each of the characters does this in their own way. Noor has long sacrificed herself for her family, and feels the weight of the community’s eyes on her. Aleena looks to achieve external markers of ‘success’: getting her own place, having her daughter with her, acquiring material possessions. Leila wants desperately to make her mother happy. Even Fozia (Rina Fatania), the play’s fourth character and a representative of the community ‘gaze’ the other three feel so keenly, is keeping up appearances. It’s only when the women begin to assert their own truths and desires that the tension of the play starts to fall away.

If I have one critique of Favour, it’s that this pressure is relentless for much of the 90 minute duration. It leaves it a little claustrophobic. Rina Fatania as Fozia had the audience in stitches on press night, but directors Róisín McBrinn and Sophie Dillon Moniram haven’t quite knitted this comic relief closely enough into the overall narrative, with the result that I found it a little jarring. I think a slightly shorter run time or a little more light and shade would have helped me to stay immersed in the play’s world until the end.

Clean Break is not just about theatre in terms of acting: Favour’s set design is by member Liz Whitbread, mentored by Kat Heath. It’s a clever use of the space, with a split-level stage and cosy props clearly evoking the family home. Sally Ferguson’s lighting design is also spot on. Overall, this important story is crafted with love and respect, and is well worth a watch.

Salterton Arts Review’s rating: 3/5

Favour on until 6 August 2022