Oxford's high streets may have shed their romantic glow, but a new play is throwing a spotlight on the secrets and surprises that lie beneath the surface of this cosmopolitan city.
Karam Khan's absorbing Christmas drama takes place in 1999, as the millennium ticks down. The Woolworths staff party at Oxford's iconic shop is where we meet Zoya, a young Pakistani wife with a passion for the British institution, and Iqra, her radicalised colleague who can't quite let go of her politics student ambitions.
The arrival of Faiza, a mysterious holiday temp, sets off a chain reaction of revelations that challenge the friendship between these three women. With her enigmatic presence, Faiza seems to know more about them than she lets on - is she a management stooge or a spy for Zoya's in-laws? The air is thick with tension as the friends share secrets and surprises like toffees spilling out of a jar.
Khan's production sheds light on Oxford's real city, far removed from its usual literary pretensions. Here, the dreaming spires are alive with unglamorous work and a thriving British Asian community. As Zoya struggles to save for a return to Rawalpindi, Iqra grapples with the reality of life at Brasenose College.
Khan's handling of the supernatural elements is cleverly nuanced, weaving in spooky lighting, woozy yule tunes, and snowglobes that curiously lack snow. However, the second half of the play occasionally spins its wheels, caught up in circular conversations about what lies ahead for these women.
Ultimately, Khan raises more questions than answers - will dreams be fulfilled, friendship endure? Will Britain finally welcome its Muslim citizens? These aren't straightforward queries, but one thing is clear: Woolworths may not be going anywhere anytime soon.
Karam Khan's absorbing Christmas drama takes place in 1999, as the millennium ticks down. The Woolworths staff party at Oxford's iconic shop is where we meet Zoya, a young Pakistani wife with a passion for the British institution, and Iqra, her radicalised colleague who can't quite let go of her politics student ambitions.
The arrival of Faiza, a mysterious holiday temp, sets off a chain reaction of revelations that challenge the friendship between these three women. With her enigmatic presence, Faiza seems to know more about them than she lets on - is she a management stooge or a spy for Zoya's in-laws? The air is thick with tension as the friends share secrets and surprises like toffees spilling out of a jar.
Khan's production sheds light on Oxford's real city, far removed from its usual literary pretensions. Here, the dreaming spires are alive with unglamorous work and a thriving British Asian community. As Zoya struggles to save for a return to Rawalpindi, Iqra grapples with the reality of life at Brasenose College.
Khan's handling of the supernatural elements is cleverly nuanced, weaving in spooky lighting, woozy yule tunes, and snowglobes that curiously lack snow. However, the second half of the play occasionally spins its wheels, caught up in circular conversations about what lies ahead for these women.
Ultimately, Khan raises more questions than answers - will dreams be fulfilled, friendship endure? Will Britain finally welcome its Muslim citizens? These aren't straightforward queries, but one thing is clear: Woolworths may not be going anywhere anytime soon.
i was thinking the same thing, oxford's got so much more to it than just books & academia... it's like, this whole community of people coming together & finding their own ways. and faiza tho? she's like a mystery person 
who's hiding all these secrets... i love how khan explores the supernatural elements too - spooky lighting & yule tunes are everything! 
but yeah, maybe the 2nd half could've been a bit more concise? still, it's all about them questions at the end that'll keep u thinking long after the curtain falls 
I mean, a young Pakistani wife and her radicalised colleague are already quite relatable, but adding in some mysterious holiday temp who's like a spy or something? 
It was like they were trying way too hard to be quirky and unique. And the ending? 
it felt like they just kinda... left us hanging. Like, what's the point of even having a second half if we're not gonna get any answers? 
. The characters seem kinda 2D - Zoya's just a devoted wife, Iqra's got politics on her mind, and Faiza's some sorta enigma 
. But what if they're all more complex than that? Maybe we should be looking at the societal expectations that force them to navigate these roles rather than just their individual struggles 
.
. It's not exactly the stuff of urban legend. Still, I'm curious to see if Karam Khan digs deeper into these themes or just uses them as a backdrop for his supernatural shenanigans 
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. I think there's more to this story than meets the eye. Maybe Faiza is indeed a spy, but for who? And what's really going on with Zoya and her husband's family? This play has all the makings of a thriller... or conspiracy 
.
. The play's themes of identity and community resonate with me, kinda like how we need more national conversations about Britishness and inclusivity 
. Faiza's character is like the government's "consultation committee" - trying to figure out who she really is and what her motives are 
. All in all, Karam Khan's production is like a call for unity and understanding - we need more plays like this to bring the nation together 
.