Mohamed-Zain Dada’s latest play, Speed, which is now running at London’s Bush Theatre, is as sharp as it is laugh-out-loud funny.
This genre-bending exploration of identity, racism, anger, and cultural assimilation is centred on the British-Asian community, with a few references sprinkled throughout the play that many from outside that community will likely miss. For example, a joke about the acronym, R.U.N.D.I, clearly had another meaning which I was informed of after the show. That being said the excellent and often hilarious performances combined with the fast-paced script ensure enjoyment for all.
Speed is set in the basement of a Holiday Inn hotel, and the narrative follows three British Asians — Samir, a boy-racing delivery driver; Harleen, an exhausted NHS nurse; and Faiza, an entrepreneur with delusions of grandeur — as they attend a speed awareness course led by the enigmatic Abz. What begins as a routine session soon delves into a surreal group therapy session, challenging the characters to confront deeper issues of race, institutional bias, and personal insecurities.
Directed by Milli Bhatia, the production seamlessly blends dark comedy with psychological drama, reminiscent of early Alan Ayckbourn but with a distinctly contemporary edge. The set design by Tomás Palmer, featuring elements like a goldfish tank with live large fish, and a poster quoting Socrates, adds to the play’s introspective atmosphere.
Nikesh Patel’s portrayal of Abz is particularly compelling, capturing the character’s facade of authority that gradually unravels to reveal underlying vulnerabilities.
Speed is a timely thought-provoking and entertaining piece that offers a nuanced commentary on multicultural British identity, which will especially resonate with audiences from ethnic backgrounds. With its blend of absurdist humour and social critique, it confirms Dada’s reputation as a bold and innovative voice in contemporary theatre.
Speed is currently running at the Bush Theatre.