Desperate Times by Side eYe Productions Review
Written by Bronagh for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
This show contains strobe lighting, flashing lights and some strong language.
As pop legend Britney Spears once said… here’s a story about a girl named Lucky. Except instead of, as in Britney’s case, being a movie star, our Lucky is a supply teacher with a penchant for petty theft.
We meet Lucky (Nadjma Abshir) as she is perusing Uniqlo, particularly the viral Uniqlo bag (if you know, you know). She is caught shoplifting, which she wriggles away from by saying she is pregnant. Lucky is, in fact, not pregnant or very lucky and now stuck with no other option but to keep up the elaborate lie. Desperate Times is an hour of laughs, plenty of pop culture references and reflection.
Nadjma Abshir as Lucky is perfection. Her performance is nothing short of hilarious yet human. She owns the stage, and has the audience transfixed. She engages the audience, asking them to hold her bag, feel the material of her dress and even to be her friend. We also see the vulnerable side of her. A contrast from the big personality and seemingly silly lies at times, we also see how she is consumed with loneliness and never feeling quite enough. Her eyes light up when offered a permanent teaching role, and we feel overjoyed for our leading lady.
Side eYe Productions, who produced one of my 2024 favourites Dugsi Dayz, recognises the lack of roles for Somali and Muslim women whether that’s on stage or behind the scenes or even as audiences. From a small group of friends to performing in the likes of The Pleasance and Royal Court Theatre, I think it’s fair to say that they are smashing it. Desperate Times, much like Dusi Dayz, really embraces Somali culture. It goes without saying that representation is so important and it was a pleasure to look around the audience, which was widely Somali, seeing lots of smiling faces and laughs at relatable jokes.
Amal Abdi’s script is actually effortless, with no forced ‘funny’ lines whatsoever. Desperate Times is a one woman show, with Abshir engaging the audience throughout. Abshir and the script work so well together, she really makes it her own and it’s not too dissimilar to watching stand up comedy or even watching your friend hold court. There are numerous pop culture referenced peppered throughout, my favourite being the reference to the ‘seven part documentary on TikTok’ regarding Hailey Bieber. This was so niche, even if you haven’t seen it for yourself the delivery of the line is enough to give you a laugh.
The stage is set up to be used as an office, shops, a school and a party venue. Abshir moves around effortlessly, going off and on stage to show scene changes along with dimmed lights. It’s easy to picture her reading a story to school children, being interrogated by a security guard and running away from the staff Christmas party. A projector is used too, flashing up images and videos designed to get us laughing.
I left Desperate Times feeling really happy; happy that the show was a roaring success, but also that Side eYe truly are smashing it in terms of breaking barriers and ensuring representation. The Pleasance was clearly a safe space, providing a prayer space and overall with a buzzing atmosphere with excited chatter after the show. This is not the end of Desperate Times, with exciting plans in the future. Watch this space!
At the Pleasance Theatre until the 25th April 2025.
★★★★★
