Adeel Akhtar (Angad), Thusitha Jayasundera (Gyan) and Shelley Conn (Malicka) in The Estate at the National Theatre. Photographer Helen Murray.What begins as a gentle The Thick of It style backroom political drama, held together by neatly cast PR apparatchiks Petra (Helena Wilson) and Isaac (Fode Simbo), quickly morphs into a sweary family feud when an unlikely contender for party leader, a second generation Sikh immigrant Angad (Adeel Akhtar) is made the sole beneficiary of his father’s will, much to the chagrin of his sisters Gyan (Thusitha Jayasundera) and Malicka (Shelley Conn). His pregnant wife Sangeeta (Dinita Gohil) advocates reason and compromise, but is dutifully loyal to her husband. His sisters see only their own juvenile trauma of being born female while their brother reaped the lauded status of only son within an impenetrable Indian patriarchy. Angad has a distinctly different memory of his childhood, its pressures, and his father’s overwhelming expectations. The question is, how will their opposing views be aired, and will each family member be receptive to hearing the other.
On the eve of the party conference to anoint a new leader, during which the establishment’s candidate falls by the wayside due to a leaked scandal involving an 18 year old girl, Angad’s issues boil down to having participated in (and lost) a soggy biscuit situation whilst at public school, and the potential male primogeniture challenge to his father’s will by his vocal sisters. Their sole intention in attending conference, is to either win financial concessions from him, or ruin his chances in the leadership contest. Suffice to say, the results of the family clash after the interval, are both unexpected and far reaching.
Sahota’s characters are fleshed in an ethnicity redolent of multi-cultural Britain, yet for all the recognisable stereotyping, there is depth and nuance here which is both shocking and utterly compelling, delivered in spades by an excellent cast who never flinch from the weightier underlying trauma which is borne of a demanding Indian patriarch.
Finally, it would be remiss to overlook the marvellous contribution made to proceedings by two individuals. Firstly, the hilarious Humphrey Ker who plays party kingmaker Ralph and who undoubtedly knows more about soggy biscuit competitions than most! Secondly, designer Chloe Lamford, who has created a quite stunning and sophisticated white slatted sliding set which performed mellifluously on press night, nearly stealing the show from the players.
THE ESTATE runs 2hours 20mins (with interval) and is heartily recommended. Continues at the Dorfman until 23 August. Note that some performances have an early start time.
