A single and slightly unstable 20-something-year-old woman is the character archetype that is seemingly everywhere in popular media currently, but Vitamin D at Soho Theatre offers a fresh and culturally nuanced take on this familiar role. 

Written by and starring Saher Shah, this month’s must-watch play follows the journey of a young, Pakistani woman who is navigating the aftermath of a difficult divorce. Moving back in with her parents, she is pursuing her passion for poetry while balancing her career, social life and the never-ending judgement from “the aunties”. Vitamin D brings humour, heart, and a unique perspective to a character we thought we knew.

Playing at the Soho Theatre until 21st September, the play is a funny, feel-good portrayal of life after divorce for South Asian, Muslim women, balanced with the exploration of heavy and underserved themes and peppered with music, poetry and strong, female relationships.

As the play begins, you’re immediately immersed in its interactive nature, with the sounds of qawwali filling the air and the cast members gifting you mango-flavoured sweets. A dholki-style wedding function takes place on stage, featuring vibrant complete with shalwar kameez, colourful decor and a lively atmosphere that sets the tone for what’s to come.

Soon after we meet our main character named Larki (the Urdu word for ‘girl’), who has moved back to her family home after getting divorced. While Muslim stories are increasing on screen and stage, this is a topic that I haven’t seen previously portrayed, making it a refreshing break from the cliched stories of discrimination in Western society that we are often used to.

As we learn more about Larki’s friends, family and previous relationship, Saher’s play also intertwines powerful performances of spoken word poetry that portray our leading characters’ thoughts and feelings, alongside a killer music playlist featuring Afrobeats, Bhangra and more. It’s a unique, enjoyable and engaging experience for the audience.

The play also serves to play on stereotypes within the South Asian community – from prying aunties and neighbours, the nods, hums and repetition of “masha Allah” in awkward social settings to the archaic concepts of being “left on the shelf” if you’re unmarried by 30. Saher’s writing pokes fun at these stereotypes, while addressing the real-life impact they can and have had on women from these communities.

While Vitamin D is primarily a comedy (the well-meaning white colleague’s exaggerated pronunciation of ‘halal’ was my favourite joke), I found myself more drawn to the meaningful monologues exploring the stigma around divorce, patriarchy, and marital abuse. These moments shed light on important, yet underrepresented, issues that affect many women in the South Asian community and beyond.

So, should you go see Vitamin D? Absolutely! I’d recommend going with a female friend or family member to share in the humour, relationships, and relatability of Larki and the women in her life. It’s a refreshing and entertaining play that tackles tough subjects with sensitivity, only to make you laugh moments later.

It’s still rare to see female, South Asian, and Muslim stories on stage, making Vitamin D an important play to support. It explores underserved topics in a fresh, engaging way. And those mango sweets they served at the beginning? I’m still thinking about them.

Vitamin D is playing at Soho Theatre, London until 21st September.