REVIEW: AFGHANISTAN IS NOT FUNNY by Henry Naylor at The Arcola Theatre until 11 March 2023

‘a very informative sharing of visceral photography and storytelling from a world we’ve never really been able to understand’ ★★★★

I left the Arcola theatre compelled to begin writing, but it took me a while to really find the words. There are too many plays and films in the world that aren’t based around truth. Just to clarify, I’m of the belief that any performance art, from fiction fantasy to dystopian drama, can find that grounding. Henry Naylor’s play “Afghanistan is Not Funny” a true story, about himself (comic and playwright) going to Kabul in Afghanistan to fact check the concept of a new fringe play, does find it.

If you side-step the tropey “one person play” gimmicks of transitioning from section to section, the one liner “dad jokes”, the questionable impressions and the grief of the Andrew Sax scandal, you’d have a very informative sharing of visceral photography (by Sam Maynard) and storytelling from a world we’ve never really been able to understand. But those things, maybe seeming like criticisms, really helped Naylor to make his point. Challenging the morality of media journalism and a mindset that you shouldn’t laugh or smile during a war- he wittingly slipped skits and remarks in amongst the chaos of what he had experienced in visiting the crossroads between south and Central Asia.

It hit me in a way which makes me feel quite empty. What a cruel world we live in. Much to the realisation I believe Naylor had in writing. To be truthful, it’s not an easy feat to critique a play where nearly every word is derived from fact- and makes you question so much about how we live and view our place in society.

In this writing, I loved how I could imagine many mediums in which this piece could have taken form, from a gallery sharing, to a dance or a film! In fact, I wondered if there could have been more of these avenues explored within the stage play. Maybe not, the photography alone was eye opening, but it feels like the directors (Darren Lee Cole and Martha Lott) missed a trick.

This is not a play that I’d tell a friend to see; but everyone. If you’re questioning what you see in the news or if you want to know more about what happened in the Afghan war, then do not hesitate. We, the west, even my generation, are quick to point fingers, without acknowledging we’re a direct product of the subject of our rage. If we take a second to really reflect on what’s true…as the imagery in this play triggers…it’s impossible to stand on such a pedestal.

Images:  Steve Ullathorne

AFGHANISTAN

IS NOT FUNNY

Written and Performed by Henry Naylor

Directed by Darren Lee Cole and Martha Lott

Slide photography by Sam Maynard

Venue:                 Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin St, London, E8 3DL

Dates:                  21st February to 11th March 2023 (Tues to Sat)

Time:          8.00pm (matinee on 11th March at 4.00pm)

Box office: 020 7503 1646

Online:                 www.arcolatheatre.com

Reviewed by Evan L. Barker

Evan is an alumnus from East 15 (2021.) Prior to training- he'd been immersed in the industry since the age of seven. The writing bug hit at the age of seventeen- writing his first play and a year later producing and directing it at The Volcano Theatre in Swansea (May 2018.) Evan is also now based in London and co-founder of "The Shed Theatre Company"

where he wants to facilitate theatre that's thought provoking, progressive and accessible.