Camilla Gurtler
The London bombings in 2005 left the country shocked and in mourning, following the death of 52 commuters in the busy morning rush hour. Losing a loved one is always extremely difficult and emotional but knowing it was in an act of terror must be hard to digest and carry on living with. Hate and blame were immediately directed towards the Muslim community after the events, causing more innocent people to suffer in acts of revenge and frustration. Warde Street digs deep into the tragedy, the damage it caused and how one man’s agony can change the lives of so many.
David’s political career is finally back on track after being hit by scandal after an affair with his colleague, Sam. Sam is frustrated with being left in the shadows, labelled as a “home-wrecker” and seductress, and as she turns to David for help with her brother-in-law’s upcoming trial, their relationship and trust are widely tested. Ashfaq is being charged with murder when his old friend, Eddie, is found dead after shooting Yasmeenah, Ashdaq’s wife and Sam’s sister. His only hope of escaping prison is to get the official support and statement of David – which he bluntly refuses, and the argument takes off as we slowly realise what really happened the night Eddie was shot.
Damien Tracey’s new play is thrilling to the point where you stop breathing for a second, being so occupied with his character’s battles on stage. The writing is sharp, deep and at times extremely funny, but it also has moments of repetition that drag on for just a tad too long. However, the cast are a superb bunch of truthful, simple actors, and their simplicity grounds the play and prevents any form of unnecessary ranting. Cameron Harris and Avita Jay have passionate and real chemistry between them as David and Sam, and Shane Noone’s heartbroken Eddie is played with such deep despair that it’s hard not to like him, even though we know the unforgivable act he’s about to commit.
Director Jason B. Moore has created a heavy and honest production that doesn’t feel very pleasant but surely stirs emotion and empathy in its audience. It is stripped down to a simple set and creeps under your skin, never taking sides but throwing lots of arguments out in the open. The events and effects of the London bombings are important stories to tell, but they are almost buried throughout most of the play, bubbling underneath the surface. Warde Street is a clever way of creating real, heartfelt, connected drama around the tragedy. It’s a meaningful and important play that, despite its bitter taste, is a night of great feeling.
Warde Street is playing at Tristan Bates Theatre until 24 August as part of the Camden Fringe Festival. For more information and tickets, see the Tristan Bates website.