The Thelmas (who recently celebrated their 10th anniversary) are delighted to announce casting and the London run of Santi and Naz, the story of two young friends – one Sikh, one Muslim – told against the backdrop of the partition of India.
Following its tour 8 Oct – 8 Nov, it will come to Soho Theatre 21 Jan – 8 Feb. The Santi and Naz tour starts at Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol and will perform in Hayes, Glasgow, Nottingham, Bedford, Birmingham, Norwich, Newcastle, Bolton, Leicester and Derby.
Casting has been announced: Farah Ashraf as Naz
and Aiyana Bartlett as Santi.
In 1945, two years before the partition of India, two young women – one Sikh, one Muslim – stand fast against circumstances that would separate them. Santi and Naz are best friends who only think about stealing books, swimming in the lake and spying on the local hottie. But as social unrest spreads and families and communities are torn apart, neither understands how their religions are set to divide them, having lived side-by-side all their lives. Then when Naz is betrothed to a tailor in Rawalpindi and her feelings for Santi become complex and confusing, the girls reach cross-roads with terrible consequence. Santi & Naz contributes to a conversation about postcolonial legacy whilst giving a fresh perspective on female friendship, coming of age and coming out.
Santi & Naz shows the years just before the partition of India which was set in motion by the dissolution of the British Raj and split the country into Hindu and Sikh-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan, displacing over ten million people and leaving over one million dead. It has been described as the greatest humanitarian crisis of modern times, and the effects of the division can still be felt today. The show premiered at VAULT Festival in 2020 and played at the Pleasance at Edinburgh Festival Fringe after winning the Charlie Hartill Fund in 2023.
Writer Guleraana Mir said, “Santi & Naz is full of joyous moments, playfully shining a light on a moment in time that is actually a major part of British history; one that is rarely seen on stage or taught in schools. The play speaks to anyone who’s ever felt like they have no control over what’s happening to them in the world. It’s for friends and lovers, families and history buffs, and for those who know little about the Partition of India, but would like to.”
The Thelmas is a female-led touring company who explore the social, political and cultural stories that matter, in a fresh and surprising way. They are led by director Madelaine Moore, whose productions include Santi & Naz, Ladykiller and Algorithms, and writer Guleraana Mir, whose work includes Santi & Naz, Coconut and Doctors (BBC One). Santi & Naz is a collaboration with writer afshan d’souza-lodhi (Hijabi (r)evolutions/It’s not about the Burqa), has music by Tom Penn and has been made in consultation with Eleanor Newbigin, Senior Lecturer in the history of modern South Asia at SOAS, University of London. The Thelmas celebrate their 10th anniversary in August 2024.
Casting has been announced as Aiyana Bartlett as Santi and Farah Ashraf as Naz. Aiyana is a recent graduate of Oxford School of Drama and has recently been seen in Testmatch (Orange Tree Theatre) and A Hundred Words For Snow (Gothenburg English Studio Theatre). Farah is a queer, British Pakistani actor, writer and spoken word artist whose credits include Pink Rabbit (Theatre 503) and Play Without A Title (New Diorama).
Running Time: 70 mins
Suitable for ages 12+ (themes of violence)
Company information
Written by Guleraana Mir and afshan d’souza-lodhi
Story concept by Guleraana Mir and Madelaine Moore
Directed by Madelaine Moore
Associate director Vikesh Godhwani
Produced by TheThelmas
General manager Courtenay Johnson
Designed by Sascha Gilmour Movement director Rakhee Sharma
Composer and sound design by Tom Penn Lighting design by Laura Howard
Technical stage manager Brent Tan
Cast
Santi Aiyana Bartlett Naz Farah Ashraf
Listings information
8 October – 8 Nov
8 – 10 Oct
The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol
The Old Market Assembly, 25 West Street, Old Market,
Bristol BS2 0DF
7.30pm | £12
thewardrobetheatre.com | 0117 902 0344
11 – 13 Oct
The Beck Theatre, Hayes
Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE
Fri 7.30pm, Sat & Sun 6pm | £25
www.becktheatre.org.uk | 0343 310 0044
16 – 17 Oct
Tron Theatre, Glasgow
63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB
7.45pm | £12.50
www.tron.co.uk | 0141 552 4267
19 Oct
Nottingham Playhouse
Wellington Circus, Nottingham NG1 5AF
nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk | 0115 941 9419
22 Oct
The Place, Bedford
Bradgate Rd, Bedford MK40 3DE
7.30pm | £16
www.theplacebedford.org.uk
25 – 26 Oct
Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4TB
www.birminghamhippodrome.com | 0844 338 5000
29 Oct
Norwich Theatre Playhouse
42-58 St Georges St, Norwich, Norfolk NR3 1AB
7.30pm | £15 (£12.50 U26s)
www.norwichtheatre.co.uk | 0160 363 0000
31 Oct
Northern Stage, Newcastle
Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7RH
7.30pm | £12
www.northernstage.co.uk | 0191 230 5151
2 Nov
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SB
2.30pm & 8pm | £14.50 www.octagonbolton.co.uk | 01204 520 661
7 Nov
Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester
University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA
7pm | Pay What You Can £20 – £5
www.attenborougharts.com | 0116 252 2455
8 Nov
Derby Theatre
Theatre Walk, Derby DE1 2NF
8pm | £17 (£14 U26s)
www.derbytheatre.co.uk | 01332 593939
21 Jan – 8 Feb 2025
Soho Theatre
21 Dean St, London W1D 3NE
Mon – Sat 6.45pm
Sat matinee 3pm | £22 – £13
www.sohotheatre.com | 020 7478 0100