Leeds Playhouse – until 14th May 2022
Reviewed by Aimee Liddington
4****
Ella is from Yorkshire. Haseeb is from London. They both love performing. She’s an actor. He’s a poet. They’ve got loads in common. Their cultures are different but somehow they’ve met in the middle. Now they are navigating the complexities of building a relationship across the cultural divides in modern day Britain but they are in love and love conquers all, doesn’t it?
This charmingly accurate love story by slam poet Zia Ahmed explores the cultural diversity within modern day Britain and the complications it brings for ordinary people who just happen to break societal expectations by falling in love. Through cringingly awkward encounters with friends and family and relatable day to day trivial arguments we see how maybe we need a little more than just love to make things work.
Zia Ahmed’s poetic talents shine through in the cleverly constructed lines delivered by Eva Scott (Ella) and Usman Nawaz (Haseeb). The intermittent lyrical narration of the story by the characters themselves adds a quirky and romantic element to the story and allows for the ebbs and flows of emotion that are all too realistic for the everyday couple. What is really interesting about this piece of theatre is that it brings home heavy truths but it’s light and comedic and allows room for us all to reflect in our own way and in our own time. As Ella and Haseeb confront the elephant in their room, we are prompted to do the same within our own society.
Both Eva Scott (Ella) and Usman Nawaz (Haseeb) portray their roles movingly and in particular, Nawaz captures an array of real heart wrenching emotion whilst also being able to tickle the audience’s sense of humour. The direction from Sameena Hussain is simple but effective. Hussain effectively creates spaces on the stage that become synonymous with different locations that the characters visit within the story. The lighting and sound design by Jane Lalljee and Eilon Morris also add to the contemporary and youthful vibe that is needed for the play to be so convincing and poignant.
‘I Wanna Be Yours’ is a thought provoking, deeply moving and necessary piece of art peppered with perfectly timed moments of wit and comedy.