Sweetmeats

If you have come to the Bush expecting high action and shocking twists, this may not be the show for you. But if you want something more quiet, a piece that explores culture through the art of making and sharing food, and an unlikely couple you root for and want to have a bit of a cry with, then this sweet slow burner is a treat worth indulging in.

Sweetmeats is a Tara Theatre co-production. Directed by Natasha Kathi-Chandra, the pace of this show is slow, perhaps at times too slow, but in the same breath, delicate. The comedy is played up, and emotions run high. The cooking sequence was a highlight. While it was simple, the direction felt organic and matched the natural rhythm of the text.

Hema, played by Shobu Kapoor, is a powerhouse. She has us on her side, and we root for her. When she won, we all did. We recognize Hema: a kind yet hardened woman, selfless to perhaps her own detriment. This is paired with Rehan Sheikh as Liaquat. At times aloof, but in his own way, tender and sweet. Perhaps it was the press night jitters, or maybe this was a directorial choice, but the pair, while natural, did step on one another's lines a few times, which meant we lost some of that beautiful text. They are a fantastic pairing who tug and pull at every emotion.