"Planet Omar Lands At Leeds — And It's Out Of This World

I entered Leeds Playhouse and was immediately invited into the mind and imagination of an 8-year-old Muslim boy, tackling his everyday challenges with wit, naivety, and imagination. With dreams of monsters, friendly dragons and zombies following Omar as he battles bullies, unfriendly neighbours, intolerance, and prejudice.

Adapted by Asif Khan from Zanib Mian’s Planet Omarseries of books, we are immediately drawn into the fears of the young Omar (Justin Kendal-Sadiq) as he and his family, Mum (Aizah Khan), Dad (Umar Butt), sister Maryam (Emaan Durrani) and little brother Esa (a brilliant puppet controlled by Izzy Coward) are moving home, each member of the family being introduced to the audience by Omar in a series of freezes so that we immediately feel we know them all.

The move of home introduces Omar and his family to an unfriendly neighbour, Mrs Rogers (Joanna Holden), as well as meaning he must change schools where he meets a new best friend, Charlie (Izzy Coward), as well as the bully, Daniel (Emaan Durrani), who goes out of his way to make Omar’s life unpleasant.

When Mrs Rogers is taken ill, Mum goes out of her way to help and support her, inviting her round to join the family in their Iftar (the evening meal in Ramadan). Meanwhile, Omar finds a way to become friends with Daniel as they become lost in London together, and Daniel confides why he is a bully. As with all good stories, everything works out for the best, and everyone gets to party as Ramadan ends and they enjoy Eid al-Fitr together.

Direction by Sameena Hussain was as seen through the eyes of an 8-year-old, fast-paced and short, snappy scenes, whilst Nikki Charlesworth’s set was simple but effective, and the puppets were masterful in capturing both a 3-year-old boy and a magical dragon. I have never seen such a wonderful cross section of society in an audience, some immediately understanding the references to Muslim culture whilst others (like myself) being introduced to things like Salah (the 5 daily Muslim prayers) , Shaytan (the Muslim devil), and how fasting during Ramadan makes you appreciate what you have all the more.

A co-production between Leeds Playhouse, Unicorn Theatre and Birmingham Rep that highlights and showcases everything that is good about regional theatre. It challenges, informs, and makes us question our attitudes and intolerances, leaving my 14-year-old granddaughter much to discuss on our journey home.

This should be high on your list of plays to see for those who have read the books and even more so for those who haven’t. Let yourself be introduced to this young British Pakistani boy as he navigates all that life throws at him, and hopefully leave the theatre with more compassion and empathy for those around you and with the words 'Eid Mubarak' ringing in your ears.

Planet Omar – Accidental Trouble Magnet
Leeds Playhouse until Sat 25th April