Abbie Lowe
CRUSH follows 18 year-olds Najma and Zakariya who meet in an NHS waiting room for eating disorder treatment sessions. As they navigate coming of age in Somali families, their relationship grows from awkward to friendly to… something more? At its core, this show is about finding connections even at the darkest of times.
Writer and Actor Hadsan Mohamud draws on her own experiences of living with an eating disorder, which brought a thoughtfulness and honesty to CRUSH. Through conversations around opinions from their friends, day to day living experiences, the NHS 1-10 scales, and jokes about mental health, the script showed a realistic experience of young people in treatment.
Particularly interesting, is the wider discussion of culture within the stigma of an ED diagnosis – how Somali families deal with mental health, and how cultural norms like fasting at Ramadan can make it even more difficult to tell friends and family.
While the script balances humour and the depths of struggle, the masterful dialogue allows the relationship and chemistry of the two characters to really shine. I applaud the writing for making teenagers actually sound like teenagers, the naturalistic back-and-forth immerses us in their world, bringing these characters to life.
Mohamud’s Najma displays a fantastic performance of an unbothered tough exterior, hiding an inner vulnerability. Perfectly characterised by Mohamud’s body language, quick pace and telling facial expressions.
Mohamed Hashi brought out honesty and openness to Zakariya, yet I wonder if he was perhaps too willing to engage in conversation and share his deeper truths with Najma. He was, however, a typical charming rom-com lead.
At times I found myself wondering if the actors were completely comfortable with their interactions, with some lines seeming awkwardly delivered or less natural than others. That said, it is undeniable that the script and performers showcase perfectly how, even when you feel alone, someone else can understand you deeply, holding your hand through your struggle.
The set was uncomfortably accurate and clinical, with a spinning display of pamphlets about mental health, and a small vase of fake flowers to try and brighten up the space, like most GP waiting rooms. It allowed the piece to be truly immersive.
The technical elements of the piece didn’t quite work. The isolation of the characters when detailing their experiences with ED using blue lighting in a small section of the stage prevented us from connecting to Najma and Zakariya. Rather than blending in and supporting the piece, the lighting pulled our awareness away from the performers. I would also extend this to the growing red light whilst they fought, as it became too prominent. Both could be done more subtly for a more effective, less jarring, effect.
Overall, CRUSH is a wonderfully honest, thoughtful look at diagnosis, treatment and stigma, through the lens of a blossoming will-they-won’t-they relationship.
You can see CRUSH at Underbelly Bristo Square from August 18-30 at 15.55 (60mins) . Tickets are available now from the EdFringe box office.
Maia Kahn
Freddie Haberfellner
Shay Mace
