Stage Review 10 NIGHTS

 

Actor,  Adeel Ali 
A one-man play 10 Nights
10 Nights Production Image
Derby Theatre January 2025

 play by Shahid Iqb10 Nights

10 Nights
Writer Shahid Iqbal Khan

Director Sâmir Bhamra

Actor Adeel Ali

It is the last ten days of Ramadan and Yasser is apprehensive about participating in itikaf for this duration inside the Mosque. This Islamic practice of seclusion and devotion to: prayer, the recitation of the Quran and to ibadah (worship); is not an easy prospect for Yasser as he will have to do without his smart phone and be away from social media - his TikTok following in particular.

Though Yasser has shut himself away from outside influences he is alongside other worshippers who he sees come and go, acknowledging them from a distance with just a nod and a wave. Apart from taking part in quiet conversation with just a few when they come together for cleansing rituals or iftar (after sunset meals), Yasser is largely alone and on his own spiritual journey.

A one man and a one act play from a first person perspective. Yasser's sunny, somewhat superficial character, seems to be on a predetermined path when we first meet him and we wonder how he'll get through. 

The scenes help to navigate and frame Yasser's life narrative from his point of view, but when the isolation hits and his internal reality is allowed to surface, then we begin to understand the fact this young man is in denial about certain things and that there had been consequences from his past actions that he has not faced up to...until now. 

Adeel Ali, gives a performance that educates and captivates. The performance is captioned in both English, Urdu and Arabic and is revealed in time with his speech. Ali performs all characters who feature so he is Yasser predominantly, and, with a subtle change of body position and a change of voice or stance, he is someone else. The captions reveal all lines of the play and also names characters which is helpful.

Ali recites the religious text with a beautiful soft rhythm that is welcoming and enlightening to the practices of the Muslim faith.

The audience is keen to see if Yasser lasts/survives his time spent in the Mosque, and to see if his skewed views about family and friendships formed over time remain, or if he surfaces with acceptance and honesty for what has passed. 

An important play on many levels, 10 Nights is a touring production. Recommended!

**ENDS**

Review by critic, Debra Hall who attended the evening performance of 10 Nights at Derby Theatre on Monday 27 January, 2025

REFERENCES

Derbytheatre.co.uk
https://derbytheatre.co.uk/event/10-nights/

google.com

Phizzical.com

https://www.phizzical.com/latest-stories/full-tour-and-cast-announced-for-shahid-iqbal-khans-10-nights/