Birmingham Repertory Theatre this week presents Planet Omar - a thought-provoking and heartwarming family production by Leeds Playhouse, made in association with renowned London children’s theatre The Unicorn, and the Rep itself.

Based on the novel by Zanib Mian, adapted by Asif Khan, the play follows eight-year-old Omar (Justin Kendal-Sadiq) as he faces big changes. He’s moved house, and now has a suspicious elderly neighbour (Joanna Holden), and also moved school - where he meets new friends and a fearsome school bully. 

Surrounded by his loving family - Mum (Zoe Iqbal), Dad (Mustafa Chaudhry), older sister Maryam (Emaan Durrani) and righteously annoying two-year-old brother Esa (a puppet operated by Izzy Coward) - Omar’s own imagination keeps things interesting. 

Whether dreaming about monsters and zombies, turning people into cheese, or asking the opinion of a fluffy orange dragon which he’s named H2O (both of Omar’s parents are scientists) there’s always something on hand to make the ‘everyday’ more exciting. 

With plenty of imaginative silliness to keep the young ones entertained, the play doesn’t shy away from harder realities. Miss Rogers next door is not happy that her new neighbours are Muslim - and throughout the play, Omar discovers and must come to terms with the fact that bullies sometimes use bigotry to hurt others. 

The script pulls no punches, but Omar’s family, his oblivious but supportive teacher (Joanna Holden) and new best friend Charlie (Izzy Coward) have a positive influence that outweighs the negative. As does Omar himself - he might see himself as a trouble-magnet, but he’s a funny and resourceful boy, who narrates his magical inner world and real-life experiences directly to the audience. 

The play is recommended for children seven years and older, and is probably most suitable for the younger end - Omar’s narration slightly over-explains the plot, and the first half (which is 50 minutes long) could be snappier, although the pace picks up after the interval, helped by a slightly shorter second half, and the enjoyable resolution of all the play’s loose ends.

The cast is only six-strong, but they offer some engaging performances and take on multiple parts - the actors are rendered almost unrecognisable when Emaan Durrani transforms from Omar’s older sister to the school bully Daniel, and when Mustafa Chaudhry doubles as Dad and Omar’s pre-teen cousin. 

In all, Planet Omar is a lighthearted, colourful and playful tale, with a serious message within, and a big heart.