Speed – Bush Theatre

An entrepreneur, a nurse and a delivery driver arrive for their speeding awareness course. Each of them at fault for getting too heated in the moment. To save their license, must complete their specialised course with Abz (Nikesh Patel). Abz is running a new course which combines the speed awareness with self awareness- what is making you so angry that you feel the need to act on it? Each of our guests find moments of self discovery and shame as we dig deeper to understand their moments of crisis but they start to realise something unusual might be at play. Abz’s twitching, quick to rage tendencies and judgemental opinions showcase a deeper reasoning for why they’re here today.

Faiza (Shazia Nicholls) our entrepreneur brings an absolutely hilarious performance straight off the bat, proud of her achievements and girl-boss status she claims she doesn’t get angry- ‘people get angry at me’. In contrast, Nurse Harleen (Sabrina Sandhu) is well aware of the sacrifice she has made by taking a day off work. She is there to listen and go, direct and fierce, bringing a deep vulnerability on stage to represent those who ‘give and give’ but get nothing in return. Her anger comes from a justified place however is combatted by Abz. We see Harleen grow her wings in these moments of judgement and rather than ‘taking it on the chin’ she stands up for the whole room to fight for what she believes in. Finally, our sweet delivery driver ‘Samir’ (Arian Nik) is our class clown, sensitive and smitten who finds the joy in every moment he can. He answers earnestly, although mostly incorrect but if he can make Harleen smile then it was worth the hit. Soon into the course he is aware that Abz has taken a disliking to him, as Abz descends into his own mental chaos Samir becomes the target of internalised racism and stereotyping. Samir goes through an incredible journey of combatting his impulses of rage and getting back in control of himself enough, so he may walk away.

This play takes on a whirlwind of thought, questioning when is it right to fight and when is it the moment to walk away? Adding further depth to this by focusing on racial hate and stereotyping within the community itself, anger is a weapon of destruction however it also teaches us our values and sometimes to remain silent can be the biggest destruction on oneself.

I’d like to note that set, lighting and movement really takes this play to another level. Our performers are held and lifted by some incredible moments of movement (Theophilus O. Bailey), as Abz descends into chaos mode we see those trickling impulses crawl over him like spiders, we see his breath bring pulled away from him and feel that insanity in our own seats. Lights and Sound (Jessica Hung Han Yun and XANA) make waves in the piece, settling at times and then a sudden tidal wave of exciting drama, music overwhelming us with the blue and red flashing lights. At any moment we are thrown into a speeding car and feel dangerous with it.

This play feels like a rush of energy, a short 90 minute piece that will have you bursting into laughter at any moment and throwing you into the deep end of racial crime, rage and deep rooted self hate to finish it off. A piece of vital importance.

Playing until 17th May, Speed | by Mohamed-Zain Dada | Bush Theatre

Reviewed: Alice Rose

Reviewed: 11th April 2025

North West End UK Rating: