THEATRE REVIEW: Bismillah! at Sheffield's Theatre Deli tonight

“BISMILLAH” is the very first word appearing in the Qur’an — an Arabic word meaning “in the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful”.

It also appears in the Queen song Bohemian Rhapsody and is the title of a thought-provoking new play by Wound Up Theatre.

The two-man show features a radicalised Isis fighter (Elliot Liburd) from London and his prisoner, a young soldier (Matthew Greenhough) from Leeds.

The pair begin as sworn enemies — but quickly find that they bear more similarities than differences.

Not least, both men soon come to realise that neither is a true fanatic and that both would rather be at home with their mum and their games console.

Both actors put on powerful, taut, performances, in which neither seemed to stutter or drop a line while riding this 75-minute emotional rollercoaster.

The timely script — written by Greenhough and backed by academic research — explores disaffection and radicalisation in modern Britain.

It humanises two common media charicatures, without excusing violence or extremism.

Rather, their shared experiences shed light on the absurdities of both missions, drawing them back from the brink of fanatical murder.

At times gut-punchingly loud and tense, this tragic wartime comedy is also riddled with dark laughs.

Bismillah! is on tonight at Theatre Deli — which is now located at the corner of Eyre Street and St Mary’s Gate.

Visit bit.ly/2OQDGqR to buy tickets, which cost £10 for standard or £9 for concessions.