Written by Saher Shah. Directed by Melina Namdar, Vitamin D runs at Soho Theatre in London from Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 21st September.
Larki is moving back in with her parents, and going through a divorce… It’s tragic.
She’s facing opinions, questions and smothering love from friends, family, aunties and “BFF’s”, plus the epic decision between jalebi or gulaab jamun. She’s searching for something, she just hasn’t quite figured out what yet.
Following its award-winning and sell-out tour, Vitamin D looks at the changing relationships between women, complexities of emotional crises, British South Asian culture and the stigma of divorce.
Can Larki be a happy woman in the face of her own and others’ judgements?
The Artiscape spoke to Anshula Bain about her role in the play.
What attracted you to the script?
Bain: I am always attracted to stories written and about Brown British women. They are stories we rarely hear in the mainstream, and they deserve to be heard.
Can you tell us about your character?
Bain: I play Friend. Friend is late 20s British south Asian and female identifying.
She is the friend everyone wants. She is a joker; oozes coolness yet doesn’t rake herself too seriously and will check you for taking yourself too seriously. But her best quality is that she really cares.
What (if any) research into the character?
Bain: I always like to start with what the text gives you and then build from there. I loved seeing the designers clothing ideas – and that’s helped me figure out her vibe and understand how cool she is! Also, for language- I’ll have to be doing a lot of research as I don’t speak Punjabi or Urdu- which I’m always excited to do.
What do you think the audience will enjoy about this production?
Bain: I think they will enjoy its honesty. It’s truth telling in a story that many women, especially south Asian women will understand or empathise with. I think it’s also so fun with good music and good jokes – you’ll be laughing, then vibing then crying!
What are you looking forward to in performing in the show at Soho Theatre?
Bain: I’m really looking forward to being in the heart of such an exciting bit of London – and attracting lots of different audiences.
Directed by Melina Namdar, Vitamin D runs at Soho Theatre in London from Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 21st September. To book tickets visit the Soho website.
