Wish You Were Here
Beginning in 1979, this play is a powerful look at womanhood during conflict. Set during the Iranian Revolution and subsequent Islamic Republic until 1991 we follow 5 women through their lives as they navigate being a woman in the world they inhabit. The conflict is not the main story here though, the important bit is watching the characters learn from each other, they go through love, loss, pain and joy and we share in it all.
We first meet the women on the morning of one of their weddings, and like any bridal party they are preening and chatting about boys. We very quickly learn of the very different personalities all the girls have; Nazanin (Afsaneh Dehrouyeh) a prickly woman who hides her feelings behind a mean persona, Shideh (Isabella Nefar) is uptight, prim and proper with desires to become a doctor, Salme (Emily Renée) is the most devout to her religion of all the girls, Rana (Juliette Motamed) the most rebellious and the only one out of the group of Jewish faith and finally Zari (Maryam Grace) the youngest of the group who brings innocence to the group.
Sanaz Toossi has written a harrowingly beautiful text, it feels like a love letter to female friendships and it wonderfully portrays the simple realities of the female experience. Over the course of the piece we truly connect with the characters and I see parts of myself in all of them. This play shows that no matter where in the world we are, or what is happening around us some things are consistent, whether that be loss of friends, new relationships or discussions around periods, it all feels relatable.
As the play takes place over the span of 20 years, the women grow and develop into themselves, losing some parts along the way and gaining others. The acting is sublime, with each woman changing and bringing new facets to each role. They work together wonderfully at a group and their relationships are all believable.
The design from Tomás Palmer is simple yet effective, a single room lit from above is where all the action takes place. The text indicates these are different living rooms but there is little done to represent this so can at times feel confusing as to which house they are in. Set in the round the audience feel like a fly on the wall looking in to these women’s lives, which adds an interesting element to the piece.
This is not a piece about violent war, it is a piece of love, warmth and friendship in spite of the difficulties they face from the outside.
This show was reviewed on the 31st October 2024 at The Gate Theatre, London where it runs until the 23rd November 2024. Tickets available here: Wish You Were Here (UK Premiere) - Gate Theatre
Review written by Rosie Browne
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Photo credit: Richard Lakos
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