Sarah Crown, Theatre Correspondent

Intelligent, Witty And Very Funny: Dizzy

Brendan Barclay (Stax) and Sera Mustafa  Qamar)
Photo Credit: Chris Saunders
Brendan Barclay (Stax) and Sera Mustafa Qamar) Photo Credit: Chris Saunders
Qamar is desperate for answers following her brother’s death, and whilst visiting the place where he died to pay her respects and leave some flowers, she meets Stax, an infamous graffiti artist who also wished to pay his respects, but in his own way, ie with a spray can of paint. Qamar is initially unaware that Stax was her brother’s mentor and friend.

Stax and Qamar are complete opposites. Stax wears a tag while Qamar has never been in any sort of trouble, but together they form a friendship, which ultimately brings them both some peace and acceptance of their respective losses.

With Stax’s reluctant guidance, Qamar becomes involved in the world of underground street art and discovers a dream-like other world known as the Axis, where memory and imagination begin to merge and where Qamar begins to understand that some things cannot be explained or be answered.

Brendan Barclay (Stax) and Sera Mustafa  Qamar)
Photo Credit: Chris Saunders
Brendan Barclay (Stax) and Sera Mustafa Qamar) Photo Credit: Chris Saunders
Written by Mohamed-Zain Dada following numerous conversations with young people across the UK, the dialogue is intelligent, witty and very funny. The style of writing clearly highlights that familial and friendship bonds can defy mortality and never be weakened or broken.

The Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse calls for a simple set and lighting design, which in turn demands that the actors and their material be 'spot on’. They did not disappoint. Qamar (Sera Mustafa) and Stax (Brendan Barclay) are excellent and quickly created an easy going, if somewhat at times, adversarial partnership. Their comic timing was second to none and made full use of the clever script. The eponymous character of the title is never seen but his voice is heard throughout the production courtesy of Reda Elazouar.

The playhouse appeared to be full to capacity with a mainly young audience and if their reaction is anything to go by, this production is not one to be missed!

Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, Sheffield Until 12th October