Promising Start for the Bush Young Company
“This is what democracy looks like.”
Kay said ironically before the demo
I was entertained by the 18-25 Bush Young Company production of Make Me Feel. Written by Will Jackson it centres on the preparation for the wedding of Jamie (Joshua Aketse-Entsie) and Ruby (Dejuan Desiree), the first in their friendship group to take that step. As we meet the group, the many issues that concern this age group are revealed.
Firstly there is the cost of the wedding and the pressure this puts on Jamie. Gone are the days when the bride’s family paid like some kind of dowry substitute. There are housing issues. Mags (Josie Dixey Watson) is suffering from depression and wants Dhillon (Rohan Rakhit) to move out but he has nowhere to go.
Others have employment issues. One gets the sack from the supermarket where he works for not handling pressure. Kay (Tyler-Jacob Thomas Akinjirin) goes on a demonstration and is arrested. His sister Aisha (Hadsan Mohamad) lets him down. The demonstration is staged with drama, smoke and confusion.
Freya (Yemi Yohannes) is one of many on a speed awareness course run by the very patronising Viv (Tabitha Ogilvie who turns up later as the New Age marriage celebrant). In a heart stirring speech Freya explains why Viv’s tips on how not to speed such as planning ahead, getting up earlier or catching a bus are not relevant to her. Freya was summoned to her dying father’s hospital bed with her family telling her to get there before he died a hundred miles away.
Two women meet on a flight where one is terrified of the air turbulence. There are the plans for the Hen and Stag Dos. Maria (Natasha Choudhary) is obsessed with Bo Tox as four girls discuss the theme for the Hen Do over a Zoom call. The girls organise a spa outing down to the last detail but the stag do consists of just going to the pub. One man makes a play for Ruby leading up to her wedding to Jamie.
These multiple short scenes are played out in a room of coloured poles bolted together; the cast move the chairs needed, slickly in and out, with lighting changes for each scene. Credit must go to Katie Greenall for good direction in this around space where blocking is all too easy. Her direction is impressive.
I also suspect that Lynette Linton must have watched the rehearsals and made suggestions. We culminate in the wedding celebration having conquered last minute nerves with Tabitha Ogilvie’s amusing speech. I think she said she was the vessel. Then there is the dancing at the wedding reception when everybody can relax and just have fun.
The overall show is a triumph for including so many young actors in stories that concern their generation, creating a fun production and a wonderful way of developing new actors, new creatives and a new audience.
Production Notes
Make Me Feel
Written by Will Jackson
Directed by Katie Greenall
Cast
Starring:
Hadsan Mohamud
James Douglas-Quarcoopome
Emmanuel Oduja
Rohan Rakhit
Daud Xiddig
Yemi Yohannes
Joshua Aketse-Entsie
Tyler-Jacob Thomas Akinjiri
Bee Collett Bell
Josie Dixey Watson
Natalia Choudhary
Zamir Mesiti
Janet Osigbesan
Dejuan Desiree
Alfie O’Sullivan-Neill
Johan Amatsakio
Tabitha Ogilvie
Creatives
Director: Katie Greenall
Designer: Hazel Low`
Lighting Designer: Joshie Harriette
Sound Designer: Xana
Movement Director: Mateus Daniel
18-25 The Bush Young Company
Information
Running Time: One hour 40 minutes without an interval
Performed on 19th to 23rd August 2025
Theatre:
The Bush Theatre
7 Uxbridge Rd
Website:
bushtheatre.co.uk
Tube Shepherd’s Bush Market
Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge
at the Bush Theatre
on 21st August 2025