Baghdad Wedding
By Hassan Abdulrazzack, dir Geordie Brookman, with Benjamin Winspear, Yalin Ozucelik, Melanie Vallejo, Arky Michael, Robert Mammone
By Nick Dent
Wars viewed from a global perspective are never anything but tragic; on a human scale, though, they can be surreal comedies. Hassan Abdulrazzack's Baghdad Wedding comes straight from the school of if-you-don't-laugh-you'll-cry: a rollicking tale of love and survival that takes in its stride bombings, insurgent kidnappings and interrogations at Abu Grahib.
Salim (Benjamin Winspear) is a bisexual medical school graduate who has been partying hard in London. When it comes to sodomy in all its permutations Salim literally wrote the book - a succès de scandale titled Masturbating Angels. But in the wake of the US-led invasion he returns to Baghdad to get married, bringing along his sceptical engineer friend Marwan (Yalin Ozucelik), who suspects Salim is merely seeking material for a new book in their ruined country. He gets it, and more besides: the wedding party is bombed by American forces, with many casualties.
From here, the story jumps back in time to London in 1998, when Marwan and Salim first meet at university, and Marwan falls for Iraqi medical student Luma (Melanie Vallejo). But the play's regretful, nostalgic tone abruptly shifts halfway through with a twist that sends the plotline careering down unexpected paths.
The play's naughtiest recurring metaphor rhymes the American-led invasion with the act of sexual penetration. An American officer at Abu Grahib, Boothe (Robert Mammone), ruminates that the map of Mesopotamia looks like "a tight pussy" that "everybody wants to fuck". Similarly, Marwan's love for Luma, frustrated when she is forced to return to Iraq, mirrors his situation as a disillusioned expatriate who can never embrace his country again.
Salim, meanwhile, comes from that long line of debauched eccentrics extending from Bertie Wooster to Mr Toad to Russell Brand. Tall, dark and salacious, he's the exact opposite of the self-pitying victim - an ideally urbane figure to engage audiences in the everyday tragedies that plague Iraqis - and Winspear plays him with world-weary flamboyance. Director Geordie Brookman, aided by especially fine lighting effects by Niklas Pajanti, navigates Baghdad Wedding's fluid changes of scene with crystal clarity.
Baghdad Wedding is ultimately a lament for Iraq, but while it has its harrowing moments it doesn't waste time on sentimental handwringing. The playwright never takes our attention for granted, offering up a lavish feast of character, comedy and story. Superbly staged by Company B, Baghdad Wedding is a triumph.
Baghdad Wedding plays at Belvoir St Theatre until 22 Mar.
