Majnoun
Riverside Studios, London

Tom Ogg

Majnoun is a deliciously subtle set of scenes exploring the conflict between imposed modernity and the Islamic traditions of Iran in the 1920s.

The play revolves around three characters, who explore the many injustices of past imperialism. One Brit and an Iranian couple relive the imposition of Western clothing upon Iran, making the unthinking unfairness powerfully clear. The major achievement of this project is that it doesn't shove its politics in your face. It is sophisticated, confronting the past wrongs through humour and providing context for careful thought.

Language is the clearest barrier to understanding and that is explored here in detail. Many of the jokes are in Farsi, meaning only certain parts of the audience laugh. This device was used frequently enough to leave me wondering whether they were taking the piss, or if in the moments when physical humour made us all laugh we should see potential universality. Perhaps there is an fiendish plot to bring together the Arabic speaking audience members with the boldest of the rest and encourage us to learn something about Islamic culture after the performance - or perhaps, it is a simple way of highlighting our differences.

Cultural hegemony was present in the 1940s, too. In a quiet nod to the frustration felt with the Washington Consensus, an outstanding McDonalds quip is complemented by the use of American popular culture throughout the play. Moments of genius are such as this pleasingly frequent. 30 Bird Productions present a stimulating play that shows politics is still compatible with good theatre.

Till 18 April.