Dugsi Dayz, Royal Court Theatre Review
Written by Bronagh for Theatre and Tonic.
Disclaimer: Ticket was gifted in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.
Content warnings – sensitive themes which may be distressing to audience members. Contains flashing and strobe lights, and a moment of blackout.
Following a successful run in Edinburgh and a national tour, Dugsi Dayz has arrived in Sloane Square for a short time only. Centred around four teenagers in detention, Dugsi Dayz explores culture and friendship in a brilliant show which should definitely be on your ‘to watch’ list.
Dugsi Dayz is the work of Sabrina Ali, who also stars as hilarious Munira. Sabrina writes roles for Somali and Muslim women, breaking them free from the stereotype that, realistically, audiences are often presented with. Sabrina created the characters of Munira, Salma, Hani and Yasmin, wanting true Somali and Muslim representation. These could be easily be girls that any of us have met over the years. This isn’t just tick box representation on stage – this is very authentic.
The girl start to tell stories and play games, discussing Somali folklore and attempt to make up their own tales to scare future generations just as they had been as children. As opposed to being turned into a monkey for dropping the Qur’an, they create stories centred around blood sucking aunties, troll boys under bridges and the horror of eyelash extensions and acrylic nails. I don’t think the audience went more than a few minutes without laughing out loud; Dugsi Dayz is genuinely one of the most amusing shows that I have seen. Not only funny but actually profound. Stories are being told, dark taboos being discussed, bonds being created.
Dugsi Dayz takes inspiration from The Breakfast Club which I actually have never seen. Shocking, I know. We meet Hani first, who we soon learn hasn’t been seen in school for two years. We are then joined by Munira, Yasmin and Salma who speculate about where Hani has been. The two main rumours that swirl around are that she has had a baby or that, although you ‘can’t have a job in year nine’, she started selling drugs. The truth, which we find out towards the end of the show, couldn’t be further from the truth. This was one sticking point for me – we didn’t find out the ‘truths’ until so close to the end of the show. This includes the reasons why the girls were in detention. I feel like if they had of been brought in earlier, a lot more could have been explored and we could have gotten to know the girls on a deeper level.
Sabrina Ali’s script is truly marvellous. It is full of quick witted one liners and jokes made at the expense of the girls. From Munira’s sarcasm, to Salma’s ‘teacher’s pet energy’, the entire show is a winner for me. Sabrina has ensured that Dugsi Dayz is filled with cultural references, however, has been quoted as saying she was worried that non-Somalis wouldn’t quite ‘get it’. This doesn’t seem to have caused any issues in the slightest, clearly delighting audiences. Alongside Sabrina, Hadan Mohamud, Faduma Issa and Susu Ahmed all put on a fantastic show, never skipping a beat and keeping the audience engaged.
I really enjoyed Dugsi Dayz from start to finish. It all felt so authentic, and I learnt a lot about Somali culture. If you can see it – go! You will not be disappointed at all.
At the Royal Court Theatre until 18th May 2024.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
