London worships many gods, but it often seems that Cupid isn’t one of them. In Shades, Sabrina, a single girl-about-town, is seeking Mr Right in a world where traditional and liberal brothers sit side-by-side, but rarely see eye-to-eye.

Alia Bano’s Shades explores tolerance within and without the Muslim community. The play is the first in the Royal Court’s Young Writers’ Festival 2009, which stages plays developed through the venue’s Young Writers’ Programme. This year the festival’s patron is Ruth Jones, co-creator of hit television series Gavin And Stacey. 

The festival continues in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs with A Miracle (27 February-21 March) and a series of readings as follows:

19 Feb: Salaam, Mr Bush, by Hammaad Chaudry

12 Mar: Starlings, by Nick Payne

19 Mar: For All The Women Who Thought They Were Mad, by Zawe Ashton

The Young Writers’ Festival 2009 is supported by the John Lyon’s Charity with additional funding from the John Thaw Foudation