Blue Mist at Theatre Royal, Stratford East 10 - 14 July, 2026
“will have you hookah, line & sinker.” ★★★★★
The Bhangra beats are banging at Chunkyz, a hot spot Shisha lounge for Muslim bros who want to let off steam with a hubble-bubble hookah. Here, three old pals, all Pakistani-British young men, hang out, tell stories, make jokes and look to the future. Rashid has a chequered past and did time in a young offender’s institution but hopes to start a women-only gym, a safe space “for the Aunties.” Asif wants to meet a nice, “wifey” but home life is complicated. Jihad, the only one who went to university had hoped to be a journalist but just can’t find the breaks.
When a competition from a new media platform offers the chance for an “authentic voice” to have their own podcast made, Jihad goes for it - at his pals’ insistence. Chunkyz is the inspiration for Jahid’s submission and when he wins, he finds himself thrust into the world of production, deadlines and audiences. The characters who represent the media are very different from his friends. Privileged, business-minded and angendered, they arrive on stage dangerously wreathed in dry ice. Jihad has no idea he has just made a Faustian pact.
Blue Mist is the assured, audacious debut from Mohammed-Zain Dada. First seen by Royal Court audiences in 2023, it's now back for July 2026 and after its stint at the Theatre Royal, it will present at Birmingham Rep and Leicester’s Curve Theatre. It’s a bold three-hander and the entire cast shone: Azan Ahmed as Rashid, the physical alpha male; Kashif Ghole as sparky Sif who multi-roles as poker-faced Fiona, his female editor. Omar Bynon plays ambitious Jihad, the one with everything to gain - and lose.
Innovatively and brilliantly directed by Milli Bhatia, Blue Mist packs a punch and keeps the audience riveted for an hour and a half with no interval. It captivates first hypnotically with frenetic music and contemporary dance, then emotionally through the deep friendship evidenced by the bros, who’ve known each other since childhood. The dazzling dialogue meanwhile, a combination of Punjabi prose mashed with street talk keeps ears on stalks and minds alert. Physical comedy, satire and endless gags just keep coming in this energetic, multi-cultural, multi-layered piece.
But through the fantastic characters and emerging story, what unfolds is something societally darker and more damning. The comedy and banter are a terrific Trojan horse that cleverly explore racism, fear, Islamophobia and the perpetuation of stereotypes. Blue Mist illustrates how fake news and authenticity have become almost interchangeable in this age of disinformation and can have devastating consequences for individuals and communities. While the final act has a whiff of soap opera, it comes from a place of truth and pain in this skillful, impressive piece. Here, the arts succeed where the media so often fails and Blue Mist will have you hookah, line and sinker.
Boundless Theatre in association with Tamasha present:
BLUE MIST
Written by Mohamed-Zain Dada | Directed by Milli Bhatia
National tour 17 June – 30 July
