Review: ANITA & ME, Birmingham Rep, October 2015

Meera Syal's debut novel, Anita & Me, receives its world stage premiere at the Birmingham Rep this month. Famously autobiographical, this coming of age tale follows Meena, a 13 year old "naff and uncool" daughter of the only Punjabi family in the mining village of Tollington. As the summer holidays begin, Meena becomes friends with the feisty Anita, envying her long blonde hair, her popularity and her freedom. However, as two cultures collide, Meena's world turns upside down and her outlook on life changes forever.

Tanika Gupta's adaptation of Anita & Me is true to the spirit of Syal's novel, with the focus very much upon the developing friendship between Meena and Anita. We are transported back to every 1970s teenage girl's dream: a girl gang 'The Wenches' Brigade', making a den, Jackie annuals and experimenting with make-up. However, the casual racism of the 1970s is shocking, especially when viewed through the eyes of a thirteen year old girl.

The life and soul of the 1970s beats through the auditorium to the sounds of ELO, a hilarious rendition of Slade's Cum On Feel The Noise performed by Meena, and original music by Ben and Max Ringham.

Bob Bailey's versatile set design transforms seamlessly from a courtyard of two up, two down houses, a fairground and the canal side. Bathed in warm light, the red brick of The Kumars' house glows invitingly, evoking the lazy warmth of a long hot summer spent outdoors with friends and family.

Photo credit: Ellie Kurttz

Mandeep Dhillon is endearing as the goofy Meena. This is a stellar example of an adult playing a child; her ungainly movement, awkward fiddling with her clothes and spontaneous, blurted out speech gave an incredibly believable impression of a teenage girl. Even as she dances to Indian music at the close of the show, Dhillon's movement and facial expressions are comical yet understated, with all the self-consciousness of young girl desperate to impress.

Jalleh Alizadeh's Anita is more difficult to relate to, but this is perhaps intentional. Slim, blonde and glamorous, she has all the trappings of the stereotypical teenage girl. Sung monologues dedicated to "Dear Cathy and Claire" familiarise us with Meena's thoughts, but we have no such luxury with Anita. The most telling moments come when she is isolated: when Meena's mother Daljit (played exquisitely by Ayesha Dharker) fusses over her daughter to come inside for some food, we are left with the poignant image of Anita outside, alone.

The supporting cast are fantastic in a range of energetic roles. Ameet Chana is excellent as Meena's suave and intelligent father. Amy Booth-Steel shines as fanatic Christian Mrs Ormeod in an astounding gospel number which must been seen to be believed.

The real merit of Anita & Me is in its community spirit and its deep connection to Birmingham and the Black Country. The largely Brummie audience, always game for a spot of self-deprecating humour, chuckle at the use of words such as piece (a sandwich) and bostin' (something really great). Supernumerary actors from local area perform alongside the professional cast.

Uplifting, humorous and poignant, Anita & Me is a beautifully staged production with an important slice of socio-political history at its heart.

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