The Vaults, London
Guest reviewer: Nicola Louise ★★★★
I’ve never really been a fan of shows with a single set (or no set in this case) and two people. It always seemed a bit boring (not that it was the actors’ fault, the writing was just not up to scratch), so when I decided to attend Bismillah! An Isis Tragicomedy I was little apprehensive.
The tunnels at TheVaults provide the perfect setting for what is meant to be a holding cell controlled by Isis – as you walk in and take your seat there’s already something happening. A solider is tied to a pole in the middle of the stage with a bag over his head, he’s struggling and the action begins.
Bismillah, written by Matthew Grenhough – who also plays the prisoner of Isis – is a perfect mix of comedy and true horror. The IS soldier, played by Elliot Liburd, arrives with food and water and the show starts; conversation flows between the two soldiers and they find themselves bonding over shifts at Wetherspoons and a £4.39 meal deal at the airport.
It soon becomes clear, however, that Liburd’s character has some issues with himself. As he starts to lose his temper, you can see the confidence in Grenhough’s character leave his body as he suddenly becomes a terrified little boy.
Both actors performed Grenhough’s thought-provoking script well, asking the questions: How well do you really know somebody? How different are we to them? Just because the news reports one thing does it make it true?
Never before have I been gripped so much in 75 minutes watching a conversation between two people than I have seeing this show. As this show was first staged in 2015, a few things are a little outdated but still work. Even the overuse of pop culture, but that’s what makes this show what it is.
