Peanut Butter & Blueberries: A Refreshing Take on Young Muslim Love at Kiln Theatre
If you’re looking for a theatre experience that’s both refreshing and relatable, Peanut Butter & Blueberries at the Kiln Theatre might just be the ticket. Peanut butter and blueberries might seem like an odd combination for a sandwich, but in poet and writer Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan’s debut play, this eccentric pairing becomes a symbol for an equally unique romance. As the story unfolds, you can’t help but root for the youthful connection between Bilal, a 25-year-old Brummie, and Hafsah, a 23-year-old hijab-wearing student of gender studies, two young Muslims who meet at SOAS University in London and bond over, you guessed it, a peanut butter and blueberry sandwich.
This isn’t just your average boy-meets-girl love story; it’s a narrative that feels real and relevant for young Muslims in Britain who often see their experiences misrepresented or overlooked in mainstream media. Suhaiymah offers a refreshing change from the typical discourse seen in the media about Muslim love stories. She defies stereotypes by portraying a rom-com that doesn’t require its characters to rebel against their culture, traditions, or faith. Instead, Peanut Butter & Blueberries celebrates the joys and challenges of young Muslim life with nuance and authenticity. The protagonists are relatable with a relationship that is deeply resonant of what it’s like to be a young Muslim looking for love.
From the moment Bilal offers Hafsah his favorite snack, their paths cross regularly as fellow students at SOAS, leading to the formation of an unexpected bond. Bilal is portrayed as a character with complex layers, wrestling between his desire for “white approval” and his strong connection to his Muslim faith. Hafsah, on the other hand, is a more confident character from a privileged background in Bradford and unafraid to challenge patriarchal norms within her community. Their struggles feel real and timely, especially in today’s social climate, and the play manages to explore these issues without feeling preachy or heavy-handed.
As Suhaiymah explains in an interview, “It is a love story between two people who carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.” At its core, the play is a celebration of Muslim joy without reducing its characters to mere symbols of faith. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and when they directly address the audience, it makes you feel like you’re part of their world. We are a part of their world in many ways, from their discussions of struggles with the gender norms in some Muslim communities, trying to keep a halal distance at all times and encouraging the other to recite Ayat al Kursi in times of need. It’s a unique yet relatable portrayal of young, Muslim love.
Beyond the adorable romance, the play also touches upon the broader issues of racism, Islamophobia, and the external pressures faced by young Muslims in Britain today that affect their relationships. With the constant presence of these issues, it is inevitable that an environment of hypervisibility and hypervigilance is created. These themes are particularly relevant given the current social climate in the UK, where incidents of racial and religious discrimination have been on the rise. The strength of the play lies in the way it captures the everyday realities of young Muslims trying to find their place in the world, all while navigating not only their personal identities and relationships but also the expectations and prejudices of the wider society.
But Peanut Butter & Blueberries doesn’t hit you over the head with these ideas constantly and leave you feeling heavy. Instead, they’re woven into the story, influencing the characters’ actions and decisions in subtle but significant ways, much like the realities of growing up in the UK as a Muslim.
So, should you go see Peanut Butter & Blueberries?
Absolutely. Go with friends, sisters, and even your mum! It’s an uplifting play and a breath of fresh air—an honest, funny, and heartfelt look at young love, faith, and identity, told through the lens of characters who don’t often get the spotlight or are stereotyped as two-dimensional caricatures of their real selves. If you’re looking for a night at the theatre that will leave you both entertained and contemplative, Peanut Butter & Blueberries is well worth a watch.
Peanut Butter & Blueberries is playing at Kiln Theatre, London, until 31 August. Book your tickets and get ready for an evening of enchanting storytelling with a lot of heart.
