Fun-loving events planner Sabrina (Sahirrah Safit) is looking for romance but what happens when she develops feelings for Reza, a young man of a more conservative bent whose family doesn't approve of Sab's late nights, short skirts and uncovered head? British writer Alia Bano's Shades is a thought-provoking work about the dilemmas of the modern Muslim struggling between the old and the new though one of the play's strengths is how its examination of identity politics goes beyond any specific religion.
Shades investigates tough issues but it doesn't get stuck in a quagmire of polemics either. It is constantly pushing forward, never stuck wallowing in navel-gazing. For a play about how everything in life isn't black and white though, the characters are surprisingly formulaic. Still, there is comfort to be taken in the familiar: we can't help but root for the sassy romantic heroine (complete with even sassier gay best friend) and the young man she falls in love with, and it is so easy (and fun) to hiss and boo at the stern-faced Nazia (Reza's sister) and the smarmy Ali (his best friend).
Buds' young cast deserves credit with the MVP award going to recent NAFA and LASALLE graduates Ebi Shankar and Rebecca Spykerman. Ebi did an adequate job in Pangdemonium!'s The Full Monty (2010) but is better cast here as the confident, charming but ultimately conflicted Reza. Even Yazid Jalil's over-the-top performance as the swishy Zain, while trading on stereotype, is not without its appeal. Buds was established as a platform for young actors breaking into the scene and I hope it continues its commitment to emerging artists. In fact, it is adult actor Matt Jasper, trying too hard as Mark, Zain's lover, whom I found least convincing