Grow Up Nana 2: Where community, culture, and comedy collided

Review

Friday, 13 December 2024 01:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Michelle Therese Alles

Feroze Kamardeen’s much-anticipated sequel, ‘Grow Up Nana 2’, once again brought the house down with its sharp wit, bold humour, and unique ability to turn life’s quirks into profound social commentary. The audience was taken on a whirlwind journey through Islamic cultural traditions, family expectations, and the hilarity of everyday life.

Like a Moor Wedding

I had the privilege of sitting with a group of people who were deeply familiar with the cultural nuances woven into the play, and generously explained some of the jokes I might have otherwise missed. One gentleman quipped, “It was supposed to start at 7:30, but it seems like it’s running late—just like dinner served at a Moor wedding.” The comparison was delivered with such good humour that it perfectly set the tone for the evening: a celebration of cultural quirks, tradition, and Feroze’s hilarious knack for turning everyday scenarios into theatrical brilliance.

Master of Satire

Kamardeen’s comedic genius shone brightest in his exploration of Muslim cultural norms, peppered with self-aware jokes like, “You can put a ‘thambi’ on a stage and call him a playwright and a performer, but you can never take a ‘thambi’ out of a profitable situation”, which had the audience in stitches while shedding light on deeper truths of the community.

Star Performance by Ifaz Bin JameelIfaz Bin Jameel delivered an excellent performance, bringing the play’s themes to life with sharp comedic timing and an engaging stage presence. His ability to balance witty punchlines with subtle humour made him the perfect fit to Feroze’s theatrical masterpiece.

Redefining a ‘Good Family’

We learned that in wedding circles, ‘good family’ is really code for ‘rich family’. By the end of the show, the audience couldn’t help but laugh, realising that when people said someone’s from a ‘good family’,they were really just talking about the size of said family’s bank account. Who knew matrimonial matchmaking had such a price tag?

Kopi Theen: Sweet Nostalgia

One of the play’s standout moments was the segment on ‘Kopi Theen’, the post-wedding gathering traditionally reserved for close family and friends. Kamardeen painted a vivid picture of this sugary paradise, where dodol, muscat, and watalappan reigned supreme, taking the aunties and uncles back to the days of their youth and causing a temporary memory loss with regard to their blood sugar levels. ‘Kopi Theen’ is a celebration of culture, nostalgia, and, as Feroze put it, “a guilt-free sugar rush like no other”.

Final Thoughts

‘Grow Up Nana 2’ wasn’t just a play—it was an experience that captured the eccentricities of Sri Lankan Muslim culture with humour and heart. Kamardeen once again proved his brilliance, delivering not just laughs but also insightful reflections on the traditions held dear by the Muslim community.

For those who missed the show, here’s hoping for a repeat performance—not to mention a ‘Grow Up Nana 3’. But as with any Feroze Kamardeen production, prepare to be surprised—both by the humour and unexpected twists along the way.