A nightclub becomes a limbo for two cousins – a space suspended between family, culture, and desire, Daytime Deewane pulses with the fleeting intensity of youth, rebellion, and self-discovery.

 “Deewane” literally means “mad or obsessed,” and Farhan and Sadiq’ are both caught in a constant pull between youthful passion and restraint. In the 1990s UK, brown youths were often excluded from clubs, so daytime raves became their space to explore and express themselves freely and navigate identity, rebellion, and responsibility.

With a fresh rhythm and the exuberance of brown joy, Azan Ahmed’s script blends spoken word, rap, and poetic soliloquy with dialogue that flows effortlessly, carrying emotion as much as words. It seeps through movement and cadence and when words fail the musicality of the dance floor itself captures a depth and awareness the young men cannot yet fully articulate. Director Sepy Baghaei orchestrates this with precision, balancing humour, pathos and drama.

Ashan Kumar’s Sadiq ignites the stage with a relentless, high-octane verbal onslaught. Sidiq uses status, clothes, and swagger to fast-track through life, yet beneath it lies vulnerability and a desperate need to belong. Farhan portayed by Ariyan Sharma, is cautious and indecisive, tender and endearing, with an instinctive understanding that doing “the right thing’ often requires the long road. Maturity is not about years or experience. Both actors deliver exceptionally tight and nuanced performances, knowing exactly how to play off each other and masterfully hold or release the ebb and flow of tension.

The creatives behind this work are pure WOW, masterfully channeling the energy and thematic rhythms of the performance, elevating the tension, intimacy, and pace of this two-hander, one-act play, and pulling the audience straight into the emotional core of the characters. This deeply personal story works beautifully in the space. Lighting and Set Designer BROCKMAN brings a smoky, otherworldly nightclub to life, centring a slick black floating dance floor that pulses with energy and light. The audience is seated on both sides, with front-row tables complete with drinks, creating a voyeuristic and immersive experience.

Composer and Sound Designer Chrysoulla Markoulli’s perfectly pitched soundscape elevates the mood and energy in every scene.The thumping Bhangra-electro fusion lifts, hones, and punctuates the tone, and is so infectious that I’m sure more than a few in the audience felt the urge to join in. A subtle, ethereal underscore also enhances some truly beautiful soliloquies.

Choreographer Shyamla Eswaran propels the storytelling further, tying gestures, tradition, and rhythm directly to emotional truth. Wrestling, teasing, jabbing, and playful banter reveal how young men often communicate feelings without words. Their verbal and physical dancing highlights both their differences and their bond: Sidiq is tightly wound and intense, while Farhan’s is awkward and disjointed, full of self-doubt and sensitivity.

Plays like this are a rare gift, and the National Theatre of Parramatta has become a vibrant hub for bold, culturally resonant storytelling, championing voices that reflect the depth and richness of our community. In staging Daytime Deewane, it sparks connection and reflection, affirming that identity, belonging, and cultural diversity must be authentically represented and celebrated for Western Sydney audiences today.

A sensory ride through culture, music, and growing up, Daytime Deewane is funny, tender, and deeply alive. It is a vivid exploration of youth, identity, and belonging that dances right up to the edge of discovery. It closes tonight – DO NOT miss it.

For details see: https://riversideparramatta.com.au/whats-on/daytime-deewane/

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