Bashir Lada is a pretty unique name…isn’t it? Unfortunately for the main character in Zahida Rahemtulla’s The Wrong Bashir, he is NOT the Bashir they’re looking for. Closing out Crow’s Theatre’s banner 40th season, The Wrong Bashir is a family-driven comedy of mistaken identity, love, and familial sacrifice. Directed by Paolo Santalucia, The Wrong Bashir is a heartwarming and hilarious way to start the summer.

Having moved home with his parents and sister (again) because he’s out of funds (again), Bashir Lada is doing his best to find his place in the world. When his mother gets a call saying that Bashir has been selected for a prestigious position within their khane, the whole family gets excited. It’s not until Al Nashir and Mansour come to interview Bashir that they start to suspect that this isn’t the talented, driven, religiously minded young man they intended. As secrets start to pile up and suspicions from the family get stronger, the play becomes a whirlwind of laughter and suspense. Ultimately, a touching conversation with his ailing grandfather helps Bashir make his decision about his future…but is it too little too late?

The Wrong Bashir does comedy right: the pacing of the story, the release of information, even down to where the intermission is taken in the story all come together to create a stellar piece of theatre. Rahemtulla’s witty and nuanced script is truly a joy from start to finish; I love that Dadabapa gets the last word, I can’t imagine this play ending any other way. Yet couched in that comedy are very real conversations about life, philosophy, generational struggles, and the hard truth about what it’s like to be forced out of one’s home country. These emotional breakthroughs punctuate the text, providing grounding moments amongst the chaos and hilarity.

Ken Mackenzie’s set and lighting design, along with Ming Wong’s costume design, work hand in hand to allow us into the lives of the Lada family and their community. The home itself is cozy and inviting, with mementos of their past and present lives adorning the bookshelves. Bashir and Nafisa’s costumes in particular are very current, (and by “current” I mean they look like what I was wearing in early 2000’s, Crocs and all) which was a stark contrast to Dadima and Gulzar’s more traditional clothing. There is such a sense of reality which percolates through the design of this production; you truly feel like you are a fly on the wall of the Lada home.

Bringing this delightful story to life is an equally talented cast featuring Sharjil Rasool as the titular character. Rasool gives a strong performance as Bashir, taking us on quite the journey with his character. Bren Eastcott plays his younger sister, Nafisa, and her bubbly personality makes her a delight to watch. Sugith Varughese and Nimet Kanji play their parents, Sultan and Najma. Varughese gives all of the dad vibes while also delivering a heartfelt performance. Kanji is hilarious, her energetic performance reminded me of my own mother any time there’s good news. Vijay Mehta and Parm Soor play Al Nashir and Mansour, and they are the comedic heart of this production. Their little asides throughout the show are hilarious, and they way their guilt sets in during the second act of the play will have you in stitches. Pamela Mala Sinha plays family friend Gulzar, and her portrayal of the slightly nosy, definitely gossipy friend is spot on. Her wit and charm shine through in this character, and you could feel her mischievous nature throughout the production. Salem Rahemtulla and Zaittun Esmail round out the cast as Dadabapa and Dadima (Bashir and Nafisa’s grandparents). They were able to make us laugh and cry in equal measure; to have three generations of the family represented on stage is inspiring.

Trust me, The Wrong Bashir is definitely the right play to go and see! Running until June 9th in the Guloien Theatre, you won’t want to miss this charming and laugh-out-loud funny play. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.crowstheatre.com/whats-on/2023.24-subscription-season/wrongbashir

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Cover photo: The Cast of The Wrong Bashir. Photo by Dahlia Katz.

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