Asif shows himself to be as memorably multidimensional as his talents in the refreshing, new comedy ‘Love, Bombs and Apples’. The actor co-produced this creatively dynamic one man show – whereby we are given four equally juicy segments from the lives of different men who all undergo a moment of revelation from their particular corner of the world – as the pioneer project under his own company, AIK Productions, and liaised closely with the show’s award-winning playwright, Hassan Abdulrazzak, as a burgeoning writer himself. The play combats the very pertinent issues of Islamophobia, ethnic stereotyping and one-sided reporters' coverage so rife in the western media: “Hassan has an incredibly unique voice” Khan told us. “He is very smart – also actually a molecular biologist - and it was an honour to be able to work with him on such an innovative piece of theatre: he deals with sensitive concepts, and his research is concrete. Being a person of a Palestinian descent, I was particularly taken by his ideas. The first vignette in ‘Love, Bombs and Apples’ was kindly written for me as part of my training at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)and I later approached him to explore more with it. What it did was represent the average, everyday Muslim: the character being presented was a normal lad with normal desires and this is what the current, full-length production became about. It shows real Muslim perspectives and not how the media portrays them. The clutch of stories that make up the play have that same basic format: you’ve got a Palestinian actor who just wants to make love to a girl who he's hitting it off with; a Pakistani novelist who wants his post 9/11 novel to be a masterpiece; a Bradford youth who becomes besotted by the local Apple Store; and finally a Jewish New Yorker whose dad is a Zionist causing trouble with his pro-Palestinian girlfriend.”
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Indeed it is tempting as you watch the internationally framed play to look for a distinct ideological message: the third vignette, for example, shows a young, Muslim teenager talking through his radical views while he critiques the infamous Westfield. But as the play goes on, we do realise it’s not just about these characters’ individual realisations and their narratives as some blanket representation of a minority voice. As Asif implies, it’s much bigger – more expansive - than that. When his hoodie-clad persona – played magnetically with equal naivety and menace - bends down to inspect an imaginary glass unit showcasing the latest technology, we too feel the pull of its sleekness as being no different from the intoxicating promises made by Jihadist leaders who are targeting their own impressionable youth. And Islamic extremism as parallel to the rampant consumerism of the west is just one of the several incisive ways that ‘Love, Bombs and Apples’ highlights the universality of personal conflict, deeper wants and our constant search for meaning. Though inevitably shaped by our backgrounds, we are all still individuals. And quite aptly, the show lets you experience this by allowing you to be yourself. As Asif continued: “the production is close to being a stand up comedy. It doesn’t preach one-sidedly at you. The audience are talked to and engaged with so that the fourth wall is broken and they feel connected.” With a touch as light as one might need to navigate their way around the latest I-Phone, the performance does leave you feeling held and entertained. Asif’s lively dexterity comes together with Hassan’s immersive scripting to bring you the virtually impossible: a political drama that's also palatable. The show’s title, like its star, emanates yet another intriguing layer.
In what immediate ways does comedy engage people with serious issues?
‘Love, Bombs and Apples’ could easily be a serious play, but you need a sense of humour to help people digest the material. Sometimes the audience might even think ‘should I be laughing or not?’ but that only makes it more thought-provoking. I am on stage for 90 minutes straight and even as an actor it feels invigorating to inhabit this comedic world. There are moments where I play peripheral characters too such as the girlfriends and family members. Every one of these four stories has its own style of humour and that’s very gripping.
How did you prepare for this very intense role?
It is certainly one of the most challenging roles I’ve had in terms of stamina. But we prepared very well with the text. The director, Rosamunde Hutt, got us to do a lot of hot seating where I played the smaller characters in the production; for example the girlfriend of the fourth sketch – ‘Landing Strip.’ There’s a lot of research and reading that goes into it and that keeps you primed. But, mainly, I commit to connecting with each person’s struggle as honestly and with as much rawness as I can, and that provides the momentum.
Have you ever felt discrimination as a person of a minority background?
It’s definitely harder to make it in the industry. You’re not going to get the main roles which are typically written for ‘white’ people, but the landscape is certainly changing. It is determined by social perception and you should be able to play traditional characters. For example, I love Shakespeare and Ibsen so I don’t see why I shouldn’t be able to play their parts. ‘Love, Bombs and Apples’ is my way of claiming that autonomy. I’m on stage for the entirety of the production and am professionally endorsing it. My voice as a Muslim individual is being projected. You see these more exaggerated – strictly extremist or parody-like portrayals in the media – and it is insulting. I want to break the stereotypes. There shouldn’t be filtered accounts of us; personalities such as Anjem Choudary speaking for and be allowed to set the mould for us. We have a plurality of identities, and a shared humanity, and it’s important to emphasise that.
What grabs you most about the art of acting?
It makes me happy! I enjoy doing it and it would have been my hobby had it not been my job.
What’s a common misconception about acting that simply isn’t true?
That we are all hyper-confident as people. Lots of actors are actually very shy. I’m sometimes asked to give speeches at people’s weddings or personal gatherings, but that’s not the same as performing as someone else on stage; that’s deeper and in that sense more professional. There’s a profound element to it. It’s very much to do with emotional memory.
Finally,what are your hopes for the future?
I’d like to grow my company and help others to launch their work, especially with regard to breaking stereotypes. I’d like to do more of my own writing too as well as develop as an actor.
**** ‘Love, Bombs and Apple’ is playing at the Arcola Theatre from 21st May-22nd July
