Modern versions of ‘Hamlet’, ‘The Bacchae’ at National – Indhu Rubasingham; ‘Surinderella’; ‘Balti Kings’; Kali new director
Autumn theatre brings a slew of new openings from timeless Greek and Elizabethan tragedies to classic entertainment…
‘Bacchae’ – A timeless Greek Tragedy given makeover
By Suman Bhuchar
DIRECTOR Indhu Rubasingham who began her tenure at the National Theatre in Spring 2025 will be presenting her inaugural show, ‘Bacchae’ in a new interpretation by Nima Taleghani (also a first-time writer with a debut play on the Olivier stage).
Taleghani is best known as a rap artist and actor who plays science teacher Mr Farouk on the acclaimed Netflix series, ‘Heartstopper’ based on a graphic novel by Alice Oseman.
‘The Bacchae’, as it is more familiarly known, is a Greek Tragedy written by Euripides which tells the story of a jealous god, Dionysus, who punishes his cousin Pentheus and his mother, Agave for rejecting him and his claims to be a divine being.
This new version has Rubasingham’s collaborator, Clare Perkins (who played the lead character in Zadie Smith’s ‘The Wife of Willesden’ at the Kiln theatre) along with movement choreographed by Kate Prince and an original score by DJ Walde, contributing.
‘Bacchae’ is part of Rubasingham’s new season programme announcements called The Next Chapter which will make the work of the National accessible to wider audiences and aims to reinterpret classics in a modern voice.
Dionysus is considered to be the god of theatre, wine and drunken revelry and this production promises to be a “riot of words, music and movement”.
Speaking about her inaugural production, Director and Co-CEO of the National Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham said: “I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room and create my first show as Director of the National Theatre, beginning this new chapter.
“Nima’s energetic retelling of Euripides’ ancient tragedy is an exhilarating debut play that will fill the amphitheatre of the Olivier with spoken word and rhyme.
“This spirit of reinvention and telling ancient stories with a modern voice has long been a part of the National Theatre and we look forward to welcoming audiences both old and new.” ‘Bacchae‘ runs from (September 13) to November 1 2025
‘Bacchae’ by Nima Taleghani
Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/bacchae/
‘Hamlet’ – Modern interpretation of Shakespeare Classic
HOW MANY times have we heard the line, “To Be or Not To Be”- but what does it really mean and who does it really refer to…
A new take on ‘Hamlet’ seeks to take you into his world in a way never done before. This play is also part of The Next Chapter Season at the National Theatre.
Directed by its Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie, this features Hiran Abeysekera in the titular role and the show will play on the Lyttelton stage.
‘Hamlet’ is considered to be one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays and it is a juicy part for any actor. The character is caught in turmoil, following the death of his beloved father and then has to contend with a marriage between his mother and uncle. His mother, Gertrude, is played by Ayesha Dharker, another frequent Rubasingham collaborator.
‘Hamlet’ is an important play in the National Theatre’s history and first staged there in 1963 where one of the leading lights of the time, Peter O’Toole played Hamlet and the show was directed by Laurence Olivier – one of the country’s greatest actors who also directed. The play was staged where the Old Vic (in The Cut, near Waterloo Station) is today before moving to the South Bank in 1976. More on this history here – https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/about-us/our-history/
This show runs at the National Theatre from September 25 to November 22. It will also be broadcast to cinemas through National Theatre Live from January 22 2026.
‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare at the Lyttleton Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank London SE1 9PX
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/hamlet/
‘Surinderella’ – South Asian take on fairy tale
IF YOU PREFER your theatre to be have more laughter, romance and bling, then look no further than ‘Surinderella’, a refreshing Punjabi take on the story of Cinderella, presented by Rifco Theatre Company.
Surinder (Sonya Venugopal) is a sweet, strong girl stuck in a never-ending chore list, thanks to her two selfie-obsessed, Insta-vlogging stepsisters, Lovely (Neil Varu) & Bubbly (Raheem Payne). Her only real support? The one and only Basanti, a cow with more attitude than a desi girl.
Meanwhile, Prince Kavi (Rory Dulku), is drowning in ‘shaadi’(marriage) pressure from his royal family. But when he accidentally bumps into Surinder, sparks fly faster than a Bollywood dance sequence!
Written by Pravesh Kumar and directed by Ameet Chana, it all kicks off at the Wolverhampton Grand tomorrow (September 23) and then the show continues to tour to Hornchurch, Windsor, Watford and Riverside Studios until November 2.
‘Surinderella’ by Pravesh Kumar on tour
https://www.rifcotheatre.com/live-shows/surinderella-2
For One night only
Balti Kings – part of Bradford 2025 and Curry Festival
ACTOR & WRITER, Sudha Bhuchar who is currently artist in residence at Theatre in the Mill, Bradford as part of Bradford 2025, will be showcasing her play, ‘Balti Kings’ at the World Curry Festival that is taking place across Bradford from September 15-29.
‘Balti Kings‘ co-written with Shaheen Khan is a play set in Shakeel’s, a Balti restaurant in Birmingham, where competition is rife, and Balti Pioneer, Yahsin Anwar is in danger of being squeezed out by the mighty Karachi Karahi!
So his sons, Shahab and Shakeel are planning a grand reopening where you can “pile your plates for under a fiver” and “Curry-oke” into the night.
‘Balti Kings’ was originally performed 25 years ago and this is a timely moment to celebrate this slice-of life story. The event will take place at the Loading Bay on Wednesday September 24 at 7.30pm.
And because Balti Kings is inseparable from the food culture it celebrates, this evening includes a Balti-inspired meal served at the interval – so you can taste the world you’re hearing.
Tickets: £25 including food
‘Balti Kings’ by Sudha Bhuchar and Shaheen Khan, Loading Bay (a Bradford 2025 pop up venue)1 Duke Street, Bradford BD1 3QR
https://bradford2025.co.uk/event/balti-kings/
https://bradford2025.co.uk/programme/world-curry-festival/
New director for leading theatre outfit
SOUTH ASIAN female led Kali Theatre announces the appointment of new artistic director, Ayesha Zia, who will take up her post in January 2026.
She said: “I’m honoured to join Kali Theatre as its new artistic director and build on the remarkable work that has gone before.
“I want to pay tribute to my predecessor, Helena Bell, whose passing was such a profound loss to the theatre community.”
Aisha Zia is an award-winning British Pakistani playwright, theatremaker, and dramaturg, known for creating politically charged, socially engaged work. Her play about female Muslim boxers ‘No Guts, No Heart, No Glory’ received an Amnesty International commendation and a Scotsman Fringe First and was staged at the WOW Festival (2015).
In 2019 she founded 62 Gladstone Street, an art space for South Asian artists in Peterborough, and has collaborated widely with major UK institutions.
Aisha Zia is the fourth artistic director of Kali after founders, Rukhsana Ahmad and Rita Wolf, followed by Janet Steel and the late Helena Bell. Kali made the announcement on Thursday (18).
Next month Kali premieres ‘Period Parrrty’, the debut play by Gayathiri Kamalakanthan, and directed by Gitika Buttoo at Soho Theatre from October 27 (formally with previews, beginning on October 23).
