Sadler’s Wells. 7 – 9 September. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
3***
Award-winning Serendip Productions bring London’s first ever Anglo Punjabi Sufi musical to Sadler’s Wells to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence.
ISHQ tells the legend of Heer Ranjha, one of the most famous Punjabi love stories – think Romeo and Juliet, but with a woman who dares to challenge the patriarchal society keeping her from her lover. A very modern heroine, and an adaptation full of recognisable issues that are still relevant today.
With specially commissioned music from the UK and Pakistan, ISHQ is full of colourful, high energy dance and movement. The story is told in rhyme, with Mushfiq Murshed creating some knowing modern humour, but also some unintentional laughs as a few torturous lines are truly a crime against rhyme. The rhythm of the delivery and the wonderful energy give the production a pantomime feel (I mean that in a positive way), and there’s even a brilliantly hissable villain – Adnan Jaffar as Kaido, Heer’s evil uncle – the embodiment of hate and evil in the story.
The quieter moments are simply beautiful – I could have watched Heer and Ranjha dancing in the billowing green cloth fields all night. The traditional music is a triumph, with glorious choreography and amazing flute and drum performances. The modern musical theatre numbers weren’t quite as successful, but gave the characters room to show more emotion, and Kaido’s songs were a hoot.
There have obviously only been minimal opportunities for tech rehearsals, as there are huge sound issues and the scene changes are sometimes longer than the actual scenes. I don’t really understand why the director felt the need to wheel huge pieces of clunky scenery on and off simply for the cast to stand in front of when the projections on the backdrops were so beautifully evocative. Just carry the chairs on, and leave the rest to the audience’ imagination.
The enthusiastic cast give it their all, with some fine comedic touches and a charming central couple in Ashan Khan and Rasheeda Ali.
ISHQ is a joyous celebration of the rich cultural history of Pakistan, and is a wonderful way to celebrate the 70th anniversary of that proud country.