"There is joy and laughter to be found."
Ambika Sharma is set to wow the audience in the new play, Vitamin D at Soho Theatre.
Directed by Melina Namdar, Vitamin D explores the story of Larki. She moves back in with her parents and goes through a divorce.
With questions aimed at her from all corners of her community, Vitamin D entertainingly raises the taboo of divorce.
Larki also faces the epic choice between Jalebi and Gulab Jamun.
In the play, Ambika portrays Bestie/Baaji. She has extensively worked in theatre including stints in Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Rep, and York Theatre Royale.
She has also starred in the film, Kiran.
In this all-female cast, Ambika Sharma shines with an unmatched glean. In our interview, Ambika discusses divorce within the South Asian community.
She also delved into performing in Vitamin D and her awe-inspiring career.
Can you tell us about Vitamin D? What is the story?
Vitamin D is a play about a woman named Larki, who moves back home after getting divorced.
It tells the story of her journey to find herself and her voice, whilst also dealing with the changing relationships with other women in her life, the complexities of emotional crises, British South Asian culture, and the stigma of divorce.
What attracted you to the role of Bestie/Baaji?
As soon as I received the audition sides, I loved the contrast between the two characters and thought they would be so fun to play.
I just thought the way both characters were written was so funny and natural and you could really get a sense of their character arcs.
Plus, we all know someone who is exactly like Bestie and Baaji!
Can you describe your creative process when approaching different characters?
Figuring out each character’s physicality is a good first step for me.
A lot of the time, you can get a sense of what the character is like from the writing, and how they would express themselves – are they someone who sits upright and uses their hands to express what they’re saying?
Or are they someone who has a more laid-back vibe? And then it comes down to accents and the way they speak.
Working on the character’s background story is a huge help and also helps to really get into the character more.
What is it about theatre that you find so appealing?
I love that theatre can be so accessible for many different people and you get to tell stories that don’t often get shown in film or television.
You get to witness people from all walks of life watching the same play but taking something different away from it that’s unique to them and I just think that is magical.
It’s great as an actor because you’re involved in the story from beginning to end, so you can really follow the character’s journey.
How important do you think it is to highlight divorce in the British South Asian community?
It’s so incredibly important! Divorce in our community is such a taboo topic when it really shouldn’t be.
It’s something that should be normalised because it is common and it’s not down to superstitious stuff or nazar (evil eye).
It’s a topic that should be talked about more openly and frequently without any judgment.
Divorce happens for many reasons and that’s okay.
The main thing that should be highlighted is how the people who are getting divorced, handle it how they are feeling, who their support network is and how they can rebuild their lives.
Are you looking to explore more film and television?
I would love to explore more film and television!
I have done a small amount already but would love the chance to do more screen work and gain more experience in that field.
What advice do you have for young people who want to make it in the industry?
Find like-minded people, go watch plays and films, read books, join theatre groups, classes and workshops.
But also, do stuff outside of acting that makes you happy.
This industry is great but there are a lot of quiet times and finding a way to sustain yourself and your mental health during the quiet periods is so important.
Always be kind to yourself, but also, don’t let go of your identity just to try and make it in this industry.
Who you are is your superpower.
Are there any actors who have inspired you in your journey?
I grew up watching Goodness Gracious Me, so I would say it’s those four actors (Meera Syal, Nina Wadia, Kulvinder Ghir and Sanjeev Bhasker) who first inspired me.
As time has gone on, I find myself inspired by the actors I get to work with.
I learn so much from watching other actors work and how they approach their work.
I’ve already learnt so much and have been so inspired by watching the wonderful women of the Vitamin D cast during rehearsals.
What do you like about Soho Theatre as a venue?
I like that the main space is still big yet intimate. It’s a very friendly and welcoming venue, in a great location and everyone who works there is lovely!
Can you tell us about your future roles?
At the minute, I haven’t got anything lined up for once Vitamin D is over except for a well-deserved holiday!
But fingers crossed, some great, juicy roles come up!
What do you hope the audience will take away from Vitamin D?
I hope they take away how important it is for us to help break the cycle of demonising divorce and judging those who have been through divorce or suffered from abuse in their relationships.
And also to realise that there is more to life than “settling down”, that we can be happy in our own right and outgrowing relationships/friendships is okay.
But also, that there is joy and laughter to be found in even the toughest of times.
Vitamin D promises to be a thought-provoking, progressive, and thoroughly entertaining play.
With an actress of Ambika Sharma’s calibre within the cast, the audience is in for a thrilling experience.
The play is presented by Samia Djilli and Sarah Allen Productions.
Here is the full list of credits:
Larki
Saher Shah
Friend
Anshula Bain
Mama
Renu Brindle
Colleague
Rosaleen Burton
Zyna Goldy
Aunty
Bestie/Baaji
Ambika Sharma
Director
Melina Namdar
Writer
Saher Shah
Assistant Director
Natasha Samrai
Movement Director
Mateus Daniel
Dramaturg
Kash Arshad
Sound Designer
Riwa Saab
Set and Costume Designer
Maariyah Sharjil
Lighting Designer
Jack Weir
Stage Manager
Ella Godbold-Holmes
Production Manager
Goose Masondo
Costume Assistant
Amy Boulton
Wellbeing Practitioner
Eshmit Kaur
Marketing
Mischa Alexander
PR
Hayleigh Randerson, Kate Marley PR
The previews for Vitamin D start on September 3, 2024.
The show runs at Soho Theatre from September 5 to September 21, 2024.
You can book your tickets here.
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