Liverpool Sound & Vision Rating: * * * *

Cast: Ambreen Razia.

The Diary of A Hounslow Girl is the tale of a 16-year-old British Muslim girl in West London. From traditional Pakistani weddings to fights on the night bus, this play shows the challenges of being brought up as a young woman in a traditional Muslim family alongside the temptations and influences growing up in and around London.

Written and performed by Ambreen Razia the show is currently on tour around the country, with a one night stop at the Unity. This is Razia’s debut play and her performance is flawless, considering it is a monologue that lasts 85 minutes.

Razia plays Shaheeda, who we see in her bedroom at her parent’s house. A simple but effect set complete with a window, a carpet, a bed and a few light accessories are all that are required. Razia’s writing has allowed for teenage moods and we see Shaheeda at the beginning of the play agitated, excited, clearly upset. As the story unfolds, we learn about her friends, her family and her own problems. She is in love, but no one else understands how that is making her feel. She feels different and wants to be different from everyone else – to leave Hounslow and do something with her life.

There are many highs and lows as an audience would expect from a story told from the eyes of a 16 year old and Razia gets the balance just right. Her sense of humour sneaks through now and again which does help to bring the hyper Shaheeda back down to earth long enough to see the brightness on the other side.

Perhaps a tad too long at 85 minutes, but it does not distract from Razia’s brilliant performance. A strong debut play that will set her in good stead for future projects with her witty script and bold performance.

Janie Phillips