Curve Theatre Leicester – until 12th October 2024
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5*****
Run Rebel is a powerful story about 15-year-old Amber Rai and her courageous awakening. Amber is a typical teenager dealing with all the usual issues that come with being a schoolgirl. However, behind closed doors she is trapped by her family’s rules, their cultural expectations and by her own thoughts. Her overbearing, alcoholic, non-English speaking father controls the family. He is violent towards their mother who must work all hours to support the family, and he refuses to allow Amber, her mother and her sister, any autonomy. Amber’s sister, Ruby, has had an arranged marriage which has strained their relationship and has left Amber alone, at home, to face the terror of her father. Threats, fear, suppression and terror are all Amber has known growing up. School is her sanctuary and running is her respite. When Amber is running, she is completely free, and she can be the person she wants to be. Coming top in her school, with the chance to progress professionally, revolution calls when her father puts a stop to it, when he puts mum in hospital and when he threatens murder.
This theatrical rendition of Manjeet Mann’s spectacular novel has been expertly directed by Tessa Walker and produced by Pilot Theatre. Designed specifically for audiences of 11+, it’s a combination of compelling physicality, lyrical motif, clever visuals, and a hugely talented cast. Jessica Kaur is an absolute powerhouse playing Amber Rai. Bursting on to the stage to tell us her story and telling us we all have a story inside us, she commands the stage with ease. Delivering a performance which is emotionally charged, endearing and energetic, she captures the audience’s attention and hearts immediately, refusing to let go until the show is done. Yet, her message sits with us still, so powerful is her performance.
The rest of the cast do a tremendous job of playing multiple roles. Whilst Kaur navigates Amber’s journey emotionally and physically, the others do the same but playing multiple roles. With the addition of a hat or the switch of a jacket they fully embody another character. Pushpinder Chani and Asha Kingsley play mum and dad deftly, handling difficult scenes with skill and care. Heather Forster and Kiran Raywilliams play Ambers friends as well as others. Their energy and switching so completely from Gym Teacher, potential love interest and then to best friend with the change of accent is superb. Simran Kular plays Ruby and the indomitable Beena, amongst others, to perfection. Hair twirling, singing and sass, she adds a lot to this production. The talent of this cast and their ability to bring this text to life is astounding.
The industrious and deceptively minimalist set designed by Debbie Duru enables the cast to seamlessly slide from the oppressive family home to school to sloped running track with ease. When combined with Daniel Denton’s video projections, movement by movement director Kuldip Singh-Barmi and a stunning sound scape by composer Niraj Chag and sound designer Yvonne Gilbert, we found ourselves fully immersed in Amber’s world.
There are spectacular running scenes which place us in the centre of the action, urgent, pulsating and liberating, we can’t help but find ourselves cheering Amber on. There are also gentle, heart wrenching scenes where we glimpse the connection between Amber and her mum and sister, and we see the power of women when they understand their power. This production has the perfect balance of light and dark and it is wonderfully paced, as well as having some truly funny moments. Run Rebel is a transformative story of revolution, empowerment, courage and hope, which will stay with you long after the lights go down.