Baghdaddy – Royal Court Theatre

Baghdaddy is a poignant and moving piece that shifts the lens on the indirect survivors of war. The play centres on the daughter-father relationship to provide an unseen perspective on the intergenerational trauma of war. It speaks to many truths – of being mixed heritage/ multilingual, making England home, the immigrant student experience, and witnessing war in one’s home country. The two Qareens and Jinn played by Souad Faress, Hayat Kamille and Noof Ousellam are captivating. Their obtuse costumes, clowning influences and magical aspects create a sanctuary for issues to be dwelled on but not be didactic.

The memory of when we are first aware of where we are from. Zeroing on the feeling of a child watching an adult making sense of the war that unfolded kilometres away and bending time back and forth makes the play gut-wrenching. Lighting designer Jessica Hung Han Yun plays superbly with shadow and light, heightening the unstated grief and terror.

This is not a play where the fourth wall is occasionally broken to throw the audience a joke or share a wink. The entire play places the audience in the centre, and in witnessing the characters unravel their painful memories and poignant truths, we weep in solidarity and reflect on our memories of wars that seem far and near.

However, the severe topics are juxtaposed with slapstick humour, which assuages our despair as we do in regular life. The audience is left in peals of laughter while crying with anguish.

The Royal court cultivates and supports writers to bring on stage unheard voices that reframe our way of seeing. Reading the play after watching it helped me understand the nuances and plug in the gaps between accent and context. This show is set to be nominated for many awards, and it deserves to travel far and wide. Congratulations to Jasmine Naziha Jones for writing and acting in a piece that uncovers her trauma and anger, not mincing words reflecting on the past.

Playing until 17th December, https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/baghdaddy/

Reviewer: Anisha Pucadyil

Reviewed: 24th November 2022

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★