Theatre in September – Vitamin D; The Real Ones; Dizzy; Bombay Superstars; Evening Conversations and more…

What’s coming up in the theatre to tickle the asianculturevulture…

By Suman Bhuchar

THERE is a distinctly autumnal feel in the air and there is nothing more beautiful than September.
There is a lot going on in the South Asian theatre sector and asianculturevulture has rounded up some shows that you might enjoy.

Vitamin D – The dose we all need…

WE ALL NEED a dose of ‘Vitamin D’, so check out writer and performer Saher Shah’s debut play which arrives at Soho Theatre for a three week run. First performed at The Rosemary Branch Theatre in Islington, London and then it went on a regional tour. It was awarded the London Pub Theatres, New Play, Raising Awareness Award 2023.
Featuring a female only cast and directed by Melina Namdar, ‘Vitamin D’ is the story of Larki who is back home after a divorce and navigating the journey of facing society, family and friends. She is played by Shah herself – who wanted to explore the taboo of divorce within the South Asian community.
Performances from (September 3)-21 7pm & Saturdays 2pm
https://sohotheatre.com/events/vitamin-d/
Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
Duration 70 mins
Age guidance 11+

The Real Ones – What are friends for?

THIS is a world premiere of writer/actor Waleed Akhtar’s new play, which looks at platonic love and friendship. Zaid (Nathaniel Curtis) and Neelam (Mariam Haque) have been best friends since school days, sharing dreams of being creative and free in adulthood.
Life pulls them apart at a time when a lot of things have been left hanging… so will these two soulmates ever find a way back to each other. Does friendship offer another form of love – often underrated and overlooked, Akhtar asks. It is produced by Bush Theatre in West London where you can also see it.
His previous play also at The Bush, ‘The P Word’ received an Olivier Award as Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. It was directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike who is also directing ‘The Real Ones’.
September 6 – October 19
https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/the-real-ones/
Bush Theatre – 7 Uxbridge Road, London W12 8LJ
Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Age 14+

Dizzy – Stimulating young forgotten voices again?

IF YOU ENJOYED ‘Blue Mist’ at the Royal Court in London last year, the Olivier nominated play by Mohamed-Zain Dada, then you will be excited to hear about his new show, ‘Dizzy’.
Based on conversations with young people across the UK, ‘Dizzy’ is described as “a fantastical adventure exploring memory and mortality, graffiti and grief, and finding meaning amidst the chaos”.
‘Dizzy’ uses an innovative soundscape in a captivating blend of technology and storytelling and is directed by Rob Watt. There are tickets for just £5.
September 25-October 12
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/dizzy
Sheffield Playhouse, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S11 DA

Bombay Superstars – West End extravaganza

FOR BOLLYWOOD costume drama lovers, look no further than ‘Bombay Superstars’, a new spectacular musical about discos, divas and drama arrives for one night only at His Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket London.
Created by Samir Bhamra and produced by Phizzical, set in the 1970s Bombay film industry, it tells the story of Rani, a young orphan girl who lands in the city and challenges the famed film director Pavan Picturewalla. Meanwhile Pavan’s cherished daughter Mala falls for aspiring actor Vijay, while superstar Bunty schemes to seize it all.
The show will feature Bollywood classics hits like ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’, ‘Dum Maro Dum’ and ‘Chura Liya’, and new songs by Robby Khela. Put on your best glad-rags and come to party, say its creators.
This is the only chance to see this show in the West End.
https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/bombay-superstars/
His Majesty’s Theatre, 57 Haymarket London SW11Y 4QL

Evening Conversations – Generation rumbles

ACCLAIMED writer and star of Prime Video’s ‘Expats’ and Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins’, Sudha Bhuchar, returns to present her solo show, ‘Evening Conversations’ as part of Wandsworth South Asian Heritage Month.
Inspired by conversations with her mono-lingual millennial dual heritage sons, Sudha invites her boys to crack open a cold one and share their views on life, feminism, shit genes, illicit treats – a Gregg’s pastie or a Kitkat!
The show will be at Tara Theatre Earlsfield today (September 6) at both 5pm & 8pm https://taratheatre.com/whats-on/evening-conversations/
It also goes to Tindle Studio in Farnham, Surrey on September 16.
https://farnhammaltings.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173655778/events/428660368?_ga=2.172743008.2139771488.1725313141-1504487591.1725313139
Here is our review.
Tara Theatre, 356 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4ES
Tindle Studio, Farnham Maltings, Surrey GU9 7QR

Antony and Cleopatra – Shakespearian Classic given radical twist

AT LONDON’S Globe Theatre, there is a very interesting experiment, presenting William Shakespeare’s mature love story, ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ in spoken word and British Sign Language.
Directed by Blanche McIntyre and featuring John Hollingworth and Nadia Nadarajah as the eponymous couple, where one is speaking and the other signs, the show invites audiences to look at the relationship between a hearing/deaf person in a new way. The approach also serves as a metaphor about people from two cultures learning to communicate with each other respectfully.
It runs (September 5)- September 15
https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/antony-and-cleopatra/
Shakespeare’s Globe
New Globe Walk
London SE1 9DT
2 hours and 45 minutes

Mahabharata Now – Contemporised and on the radio

THIS is a great epic that keeps on giving as they say in showbiz. Radio 4 gives us this modern-day transposition of the battle between the Kauravas and Pandavas called ‘Mahabharata Now’.
Set in modern day Mumbai a dying oligarch’s will plunges his family into chaos and only a game of dice can settle the future of Hasta Enterprises.
Two episodes, 5 & 6 have just dropped and you can catch them on radio or iPlayer directed by Jatinder Verma and written by Ayeesha Menon this is a co-production between UK and India made by B7 Media.
It’s fun trying to work out who the modern-day characters are based on!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0022khd

Counting and Cracking – Audience pleaser heads to US

CONTAINED within is an incredible epic story about a Sri Lankan family migration to Australia and this play follows them from 1956-2004.
It was presented at the Edinburgh Festival UK in 2022.
This Belvoir St Theatre & Kurinji Co-Production is written by Shakti. Shakthidharan and directed by Eamon Flack and now arrives at The Public Theater, New York.
Featuring a cast of 19 performers, the episodic three and a half hour show deals with war, displacement, migration, language, love and reconciliation. The staging is very sparse and actors create things with small props and their bodies. It is gripping and well worth a dekko. We saw in Edinburgh.
https://nyuskirball.org/events/counting-and-cracking/?src=174163
The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street (Astor Place)
New York
NY10003, US.
2 hours and 45 minutes