Theatre review: Pretend You Have Big Buildings, Royal Exchange, Manchester

Jul 18 2007 by Malcolm Handley, Liverpool Daily Post

ANY doubts about the quality of new stage writing would appear to be unfounded, if this latest piece from Ben Musgrave is any indication.

In its world premiere, having won this year’s Bruntwood Playwriting Competition, this dynamic piece of drama tackles contemporary issues with sensitivity, energy and a sense of fun.

It centres on an Indian-born mother and her English-born son returning to Britain following the death of her estranged husband.

There are times in the first act when a serious injection of pace would be welcome. No doubt the obvious shoulder injury to Sacha Dhawan playing central character Danny also adds a problem.

Shobna Gulati is excellent as Ruhksana the mother searching for the certainty of her past marriage and returning son, the injured Mr Dhawan, makes light of his sling.

Susan Twist is rock solid as the widow’s sister-in-law, and Tanya Franks adds another utterly convincing role as Tanya, a wife who no longer knows or respects her husband and is trying to come to terms with a son – superbly played by Jonathan Bailey – who is struggling to define his own sexuality.

Overall, this is a very impressive debut, impressively performed by an excellent cast.