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Fiona Mountford's rating
, Much to admire in Damascus
By
Fiona Mountford
17 Feb 2009
Damascus, by the always fascinating, sometimes frustrating David Greig, is a rich, subtle and compelling piece set in the Syrian capital. As Paul (excellent Paul Higgins), a crumpled Scot, arrives to sell his English-language textbooks, a sort of love story winds its way through a skilful examination of cross-cultural confusion.
There’s simply too much to admire here, from the priceless send-up of the ghastly-sounding textbook with its right-on platitudes that mean nothing in this country, to the heroically world-weary pianist (Dolya Gavanski) who comments mercilessly on events in the hotel lobby where the action unfolds.
Director Philip Howard doesn’t miss a trick, either, placing a television at the back of the lobby to ground the action in sobering 24-hour Middle Eastern bad news. Paul might well experience something of a streets of Damascus conversion but as this isn’t a Richard Curtis film he and sparky teacher Muna (Nathalie Armin) nurse little more than hangovers and regrets. Outstanding.
Damascus until 7 March (020 7328 1000, www.tricycle.co.uk).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
