Review: Rafta, Rafta
Venue: The Lowry
Date Reviewed: 20th February 2008
Even though this hilarious, yet heart warming play has transferred from the National Theatre, it has much to recommend for a Manchester audience. Salford born writer Ayub Khan-Din has adapted Bill Naughton’s classic All In Good Time has retained the essence of the original via his beautiful update, focusing on an Indian community in Bolton.
Following a family wedding, all eyes are on the bride and groom, as everyone anxiously awaits the patter of tiny feet. There is one problem though as the beautiful virgin bride remains just that and this gossip begins to filter through the community. The new groom Atul Dutt (brilliantly played by Ronny Jhutti) is suddenly the centre of of conversation as the families speculate what could be wrong with him.
His new in laws find out what is wrong and they arrive unannounced at the family home, desperate to find a solution and help their daughter. This leads to some great comic situations , often descending into farce but with such heart felt sentiment that it often takes the audience by surprise.
The writing remains sharp and socially relevant and the warm humour is often punctuated with genuine sadness and regret. Indian stage actor Harish Patel gives a fantastic multi layered turn as the damaged father and holds your attention throughout.
He is ably backed Pooja Ghai as his stoic and loyal wife. Local actress Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi is wonderfully witty as the new bride, but the whole cast give immaculate performances.
At times the play does feel overlong and it does begin to resemble a soap or a sit com during several stretched scenes but the cast often propel these scenes into realistic territory with aplomb . Tim Hatley’s opulent set design; grand and full of depth also fits this excellent play like a glove.
Most of the audience on the night I went laughed out loud and gave this National treasure a rousing reception and deservedly so.
-Glenn Meads