A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain @ Summerhall
A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain is a captivating story that depicts the callousness of our immigration system, from award-winning playwright Sami Ibrahim
After the difficulties of seeing in-person Fringe shows throughout the pandemic, it is a thrill to see an immersive show like Sami Ibrahim’s A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain. Ibrahim’s captivating story depicts our callous immigration system through the setting of a fanciful kingdom, one that is unwilling to admit hopeful sheep shearer and illegal immigrant Elif. The play utilises the perfect amount of audience interaction to engage empathetic audiences while obtaining the ability to narrate the story of an immigrant’s journey.
Elif’s tale is full of hope, despair, love, and betrayal. As she grows up in an unwelcoming city, it is made clear how unjust such systems can be. With staging that feels simultaneously natural and stylised, due to the actors sitting alongside audience members within the enclosed circular space, the play creates a fast-paced and enveloping atmosphere.
The acting itself emphasises Ibrahim’s skill as a playwright – all three performers manage to switch between multiple characters and emotional states throughout. Ultimately, the performances compose a powerful odyssey of both humour and moving sentiment. A clear sense of Elif's hope is felt within the script that includes both artistic fancy and harsh depictions of our own reality. Additionally, the poetic skill in Ibrahim’s writing manages to portray blunt truths as beautiful fables and the use of props lighting and sound design only enhance this.
Sharing one small ceiling light with the actors' space, audiences are encouraged to better engage with the theme that we all live under the same sky. Thus, the heart wrenching struggles that Elif must face are made that much more impactful. Through impressive acting, humorous anecdotes followed by tragic conclusions and incredible lighting, sound and set design, these ever-imperative themes are brought to light in an all-round mesmeric manner.
A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain, Summerhall (Roundabout), until 27 Aug (not 9, 14, 16, 21, 23), various times, £12-15