Musical review: The British Ambassador's Belly Dancer

Published on Tuesday 5 August 2008 09:13

THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR'S BELLY DANCER *** GILDED BALLOON TEVIOT (VENUE 14)

THIS is the real-life story of a heroic Uzbeki girl – the engaging Nadira Murray (ne Alieva) – who trains as an English teacher for a salary too poor to live off, so takes to belly dancing. She meets the British ambassador, Craig Murray, and becomes his mistress.

He openly cheats on his wife while bravely championing the human rights of tortured Uzbekistanis. He loses his job and they end up in a small London flat where he writes a book while she reveals all in a one-woman show.

It's a strange experience hearing this story of addictions, rape, brutality and political powerlessness, while watching the sensual Murray dressed in black belly-dancing gear exploit her undoubted attractions.

The piece is more spoken memoir than theatre, with voiceover and shrewd observation from the former ambassador himself. But while the show is full of almost nave honesty, there is a missed opportunity in the tabloid way their curious romance eclipses the larger canvas of the iniquities of the US-backed Uzbekistani dictatorship, as well as the abuse of many women worldwide.

Apparently Steve Coogan may play the ambassador in a future film of their story and Angelina Jolie may play Nadira. In the meantime, get the truth first-hand from the feisty lady herself.

• Until 24 August. Today 1:30pm