Norm and Ahmed | Adelaide Fringe 2022 review

An interesting discussion on social perceptions and how your country of birth, age and upbringing influence the way you see the world.

Norm and Ahmed.

Norm and Ahmed

Theatre

Rating: ***

Mainstage at Bakehouse Theatre

Until March 19

In a meeting of two strangers, the audience is gifted with an interesting discussion on social perceptions and how your country of birth, age, and upbringing influence the way in which you see the world.

Ceejay Singh gives a stiff performance as Ahmed, often due to writer Alex Buzo’s unnatural dialogue but also because Singh fails to relax, resulting in moments – which should be filled with passion and anger – feeling flat.

Brendan Cooney as Norm is simply two dimensional. While his performance is energised and engaging, there isn’t any depth to his character.

Despite its shortcomings the 1968 play is still very enjoyable with a few laughs scattered throughout. That being said, the forced – and historically controversial – twist in the final minute of the play undermines the whole plot.