Aryan

Set in an easy-to-envisage near-future, Aryan tells of a young couple living under a president-dictator determined to ‘make his country great again”. The latest endeavour in ensuring racial purity directly threatens their four-year-old son, a little boy with Down Syndrome.

This highly political and very emotional and relationship focused piece of theatre, is perhaps Amanda Crewes’ most powerful writing to date - and this play is the strongest piece of theatre I have had the pleasure of watching from The Actors Hub. With echoes of real situations from history, this, like The Handmaid’s Tale, which it references, does not invent situations that have not played out somewhere in World History, and the potential of this plot-line, given the current political leanings in the United States, adds to the tension. The ring-of-truth is highlighted by throw away lines such as “at least the trans people had a chance to get out”, chilling revelations, mentioned in passing.

The young couple, Lolly, played with great depth by Ava Lyas, and her husband, whose name is never used, expertly portrayed by Adam Leeuwenhart, have a marriage under strain, which is further tested when faced with the revelation that their much-loved little boy Hugo will be “collected” in a matter of hours. Much of the play deals with the lack of choices that they are given, when to ignore the edict, or run, means probable death. Amanda Crewes further complicates the situation by having the husband be a serving military officer.

People focused and personal, Ava and Adam work together with the familiarity of a married couple - perhaps unsurprising as they are old friends who have studied and performed together for many years. The portrayals are raw, believable and very strong.

Aryan is set to tour, and I could not recommend this short, impactful and brilliantly performed play more highly. A play that resonates.

Kimberley Shaw