LANSHULA BAIN, ULRIKA KRISHNAMURTI, ZAINAB HASAN, KIRAN LANDA
© Robert Day
“Women come, women go. We pamper them, preen them, make them beautiful. Make small talk. Never know what’s really under their skin.”
Lotus Beauty invites us into Reita’s salon where clients can wax lyrical about their day’s tiny successes or have their struggles massaged, plucked or tweezed away. But with honest truths and sharp-witted barbs high among the treatments on offer, will the power of community be enough to raise the spirits of everyone who passes through the salon doors?
Over a decade ago, Satinder Chohan’s Crossing The Line played at Hampstead as one of the theatre’s young company productions. Since then, her credits have included Zameen (Kali Theatre), Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi (Pursued By A Bear/Kali Theatre), Half of Me and Made in India (Tamasha).
Artistic Director of Tamasha, Pooja Ghai directs her first production at Hampstead. A former Associate of Theatre Royal Stratford East, previous credits include Lions and Tigers (Globe Theatre), Approaching Empty (Tamasha, Kiln Theatre, Live Theatre), Rapunzel, Counting Stars and The House of in Between (all Stratford East).
Lotus Beauty follows the intertwined lives of five multigenerational women. The cast features Anshula Bain (Tartuffe, Birmingham Rep; (This Isn’t) A True Story, Almeida Theatre); Souad Faress (The Archers, BBC; Game of Thrones, HBO), Zainab Hasan (The Welkin, National Theatre; Shakespeare Trilogy, Donmar Warehouse), Ulrika Krishnamurti (Pink Sari Revolution, Curve Theatre/Belgrade Theatre/West Yorkshire Playhouse; Made in India, Tamasha Theatre Company), Kiran Landa (Line of Duty, BBC; Extinct, Theatre Royal Stratford East).
To me, the plot was decidedly clever – Stander Chohan (writer) has created the myriad of ladies found in beauty salons across the world: be it if you’re in New York, Dubai or Southall where this play is set. The director of Tamasha Theatre’s Pooja Ghai is to be commended for its clever and unique way these women’s live interweave. The set is sleek, simple and minimal. To be fair, it fits the Downstairs of the Hampstead Theatre like a glove. There are moments where I wish it was a little more elaborate, but it does amplify the feeling of claustrophobia of being in a cramped beauty salon. The actors each portray the women effortlessly, and it translates mostly in the first act. The only part where I’d perhaps look to improve, is the way the ending and second half bringing a darker side. The first half was really funny, cheery and captivating. I felt the second act was slightly longer, and the plot could have tightened to keep it seamless, but the actresses gave the most inspiring performances. A special mention to Zainab Hasan, for her really hilarious lines – they kept on coming – and it was just really nice to see audience members who got the punjabi jokes, without having to explain them for a non Global Majority audiences. Kiran Landa’s Reita is feisty, and her acting choices were superbly executed. It was like watching a masterclass, and her dynamic with on-screen daughter (played by Anshula Bain) caused for many spot-on performances that reminded me of my own community. It felt researched, and Satinder Chohan’s attention to detail was exemplary.
It’s only on for a short run (until 18 June) and I really recommend this for anyone looking to see what the little undiscovered lives of diaspora discuss and face in outer London. I left feeling moved, transported to another world, and having watched an endearing production of sisterhood and values that can translate to everyone’s life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
Book your tickets: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2022/lotus-beauty/
(£10 for under 30s, £5-£20)