Ostan Review

Reviewed by Lauren Russell
Ticket was gifted in return for an honest review.

Ostan at Park Theatre, is a sharply written new play by Arzhang Pezhman who is a first-generation refugee from Iran. It shows us the harsh reality that many face when they hope to find safety in the UK.

Photo by Jack Bush.

The traverse stage is a steely carwash, where despair hangs in the air. We see the manager Destan, played by Mohsen Ghaffari, kneeling to pray in his tiny office with a Quran in hand. Ghaffari’s performance was beautiful throughout, I could have watched him over and over in this role, he brings realism to the stage with ease. A particular highlight was the traditional dance which corrupt Persian carwash owner Shapur, played by Dana Haqjoo, catches Destan rehearsing.Ghaffari and Haqjoo complement each other well, and the power dynamic is never over played. 

In this rundown carwash we meet worker Rebin, an Iraqi-Kurd played by Ojan Genc, who has spent a decade of his life waiting and waiting for Indefinite Leave to Remain, a status that allows people to live without immigration restrictions. We see his frustrations with the injustice ways of the UK system and desperation to start his life anew. Genc brings grit and sensitivity in equal measure, and we immediately recognise anhonest soul feeling lost and left with no control over his own future. He works, he calls the immigration office, he waits, he watches new workers come and secure ILR status and leave, whilst he waits on and on. His only respite being playing video games with British pal Noah, played by versatile El Anthony. 

We watch Rebin show newcomer ‘fresh fish’ Görkem the ropes, a young and passionate Turkish Kurd played by Serkan Avlik. Teasing him with Arabic, which Görkem refuses to listen to, and tricking him with what each spray is used for, their relationship takes a rocky start. Avlik’s performance is second to none, his energy lights up the stage and his commitment is striking. Avlik makes us laugh with his boisterous physicality contrasting Genc’s streetwise attitude, and their quick wit dialogue, which Pezhman has flawlessly written, is delivered brilliantly.

Photo by Jack Bush.

The plot thickens when ruthless businessman Shapur decides the carwash will be a front for a human trafficking trade. ‘We’re all from the same stock’ he says, to which proud Kurd Görkem is disgusted by. Anxious manager Destan is swayed by the money funding his visit back to home, a place his children have never seen, and Noah, who is also strapped for cash, has agreed to drive what he calls the ‘units’. This causes a rift between Noah and Rebin, who is on the straight and narrow holding out hope for his ILR status.

This world premiere of Ostan, which means border in Iranian, is full of culture, the actors seamlessly switching between languages. As the plot gets busier, so does the stage. A lot of comings and goings, and a few messy transitions involving overhead screens displaying distracting video game interims leaves a mark on this otherwise polished performance. However, the strong and dynamic cast (spot on casting by Leila Bertrand) combined with a nail-biting script, rich in culture, pulls us to refocus. And an unexpected twist leaves a deafening silence, making this play unforgettable.

A raw and intricate story which will remain in your mind indefinitely, knowing that for many people this is real life.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ostan plays at The Park Theatre in London until
Saturday 12th October 2024. Tickets are available from https://parktheatre.co.uk/event/ostan/

Photo by Jack Bush.