Category: Theatre News

Brian and Dayna Lee, Stephanie Kramer and Nicole Kramer, Josh Fiedler and Robyn Goodman, today announce a 14 week limited run for the Royal Court Theatre’s production of Mark Rosenblatt’s GIANT at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End. Directed by Nicholas Hytner (Straight Line Crazy, La Belle Sauvage) and designed by Bob Crowley, the sold-out hit which has just completed its run at the Royal Court premiered at the theatre in September 2024. The West End transfer will run from 26 April 2025 – 2 August 2025, with an opening night on 1 May 2025. For priority booking please sign up here gianttheplay.com.

Tony and Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Crown) will reprise his extraordinary performance as Roald Dahl with Olivier Award-winner Elliot Levey (Cold War, Patriots, Good) returning as Tom Maschler. Further casting to be announced.

 

 

I wanted to put you bang in the picture. Appraise you of the difficulties. Because, in case you hadn’t noticed, he’s a human fucking boobytrap. And now, guess what, surprise surprise, boom!”

 

 

 

A world-famous children’s author under threat. A battle of wills in the wake of scandal. And one chance to make amends…

 

 

 

It’s the summer of 1983, The Witches is about to hit the shelves and Roald Dahl is making last-minute edits. But the outcry at his recent, explicitly antisemitic article won’t die down.

 

 

 

Across a single afternoon at his family home, and rocked by an unexpectedly explosive confrontation, Dahl is forced to choose: make a public apology or risk his name and reputation.

 

 

 

Inspired by real events, GIANT explores with dark humour the difference between considered opinion and dangerous rhetoric offering a complicated portrait of a fiendishly charismatic icon.

 

 

The production features lighting design by Anna Watson, sound design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite and casting by Arthur Carrington. General Management is by Short Street Productions Ltd and Mark Rubinstein is Executive Producer for the West End Production.

 

 

Mark Rosenblatt says: “Premiering GIANT, my first play, at the legendary Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs has been a wonderful, dizzying and life-changing experience. Had its journey ended there, it would have been plenty. But to have Nick Hytner’s superlative production now transfer to the West End to be experienced by a wider audience is far beyond my every expectation.”

 

 

John Lithgow says: “For over sixty years, the Royal Court Theatre has been the cradle of great new playwriting. Along with writer Mark Rosenblatt and director Nick Hytner, they have launched another remarkable new play. I am happy and proud to be a part of its first trip out into a wider world.”

 

 

Brian and Dayna Lee say: “Since first reading Mark’s debut play, we have been anticipating audiences experiencing his extraordinary work. After sold-out houses and a thrilling debut at the Royal Court, we are ecstatic to bring GIANT to the West End with the astonishing John Lithgow as Roald Dahl. Along with our partners Stephanie Kramer & Nicole Kramer and Josh Fielder & Robyn Goodman, we are looking forward to audiences having the opportunity to experience this bold, brave and pivotal piece of theatre that stays with you long after the curtain comes down.”

 

 

David Byrne, Artistic Director of The Royal Court says: “Mark Rosenblatt’s GIANT is an astounding debut play brought brilliantly to life in Nicholas Hynter’s thrilling production. I am incredibly proud to have had GIANT as part of my first season at the Royal Court, with both Mark and Nick making their Royal Court debuts. With the exception of our famous Monday night rush seats, GIANT sold every available ticket for its premiere run at the Royal Court before its first preview. I am therefore delighted that it is transferring to the West End, led by the incomparable John Lithgow, so that more audiences can get the pleasure of experiencing this gripping new play.”

 

 

The Royal Court’s production of GIANT will be produced in the West End by Brian and Dayna Lee, Stephanie Kramer and Nicole Kramer, Josh Fiedler and Robyn Goodman.

 

 

★★★★★ – The Times

 

★★★★★ – The Observer

 

★★★★★ – Mail on Sunday

 

★★★★★ – The Standard

 

★★★★★ – Sunday Express

 

★★★★ – The Guardian

 

★★★★ – The Independent

 

★★★★ – The Daily Mail

 

★★★★ – The Financial Times

 

★★★★ – The i News

 

★★★★ – TimeOut

 

★★★★ – The Daily Express

 

 

 

GIANT is generously supported by a lead gift from Charles Holloway, OBE.

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 10^th 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

Finalist for the 2023 Women’s Prize for Playwriting, King Troll (The Fawn) is a dark and otherworldly thriller about two South Asian sisters, desperate to escape the border regime without losing their humanity.

Is that even possible on this island?

A dystopian exploration of migrant experiences in all their complexity. This world premiere production stars Diyar Bozkurt (The Turkish Detective), Ayesha Dharker (Coronation Street), Zainab Hasan (Antigone, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Dominic Holmes (Black Superhero, Royal Court) and Safiyya Ingar (The Witcher).

This play is Sonali Bhattacharyya and Milli Bhatia’s third collaboration as writer and director, following Chasing Hares and Liberation Squares. The duo first worked together on a Kali workshop and reading of King Troll (The Fawn) in 2021 and are delighted to be able to share a full production with audiences this Halloween season.

Riya and Nikita navigate the increasingly authoritarian island where they live in wildly different ways. Insecure, stateless, both desperate for somewhere to call ‘home’. Riya is offered the chance to create an advocate in the form of a homunculus, or fawn, and sees a chance to elevate herself above the cruelty meted out to others. Nikita tries to keep her saviour complex in check as she negotiates the challenges and hypocrisy of the third sector, where she supports migrant teenagers. Her deep connection with one client forces her to confront the limitations of her work. King Troll is about the troll that lives within all of us – whispering ‘me, not us’, and definitely ‘me’ first.

Speaking about the production, Sonali Bhattacharyya says “For the first few drafts, I tried to reflect the increasingly racist and authoritarian changes to immigration legislation in the story of Riya and Nikita, but each time I came to a rewrite, things had grown worse than I could have imagined. So I decided to push the story beyond day to day reality and fully embrace the horror. That’s when the fawn, the king of all trolls, was born.”

King Troll (the Fawn) is brought to NDT by Kali Theatre, who have been developing and presenting thought provoking contemporary theatre by women writers of South Asian descent for over 30 years.

PEOPLE

Writer: Sonali Bhattacharyya

Director: Milli Bhatia

Starring: Diyar Bozkurt, Ayesha Dharker, Zainab Hasan ,

Dominic Holmes & Safiyya Ingar

Designer – Rajha Shakiry

Associate Designer – Yimei Zhao

Lighting Designer – Elliot Griggs

Sound Designer – XANA

Movement Director – Iskandar Sharazuddin

Fight Director – Bret Yount

Casting Director – Arthur Carrington

Assistant Director – Neetu Singh

Production Manager – Chris Burr

Stage Manager – Alexandra Kataigida

Co-commissioned by New Diorama Theatre

LISTINGS

Show: King Troll (The Fawn)

Venue: New Diorama Theatre 15 – 16 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, London, NW1 3BF

Dates: 4 Oct – 2 Nov 2024

Times: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Sat mat 3pm

Tickets: £22 full price (Previews £16, £3 unemployed/on strike)

https://newdiorama.com/whatson/king-troll-the-fawn

Captioned: Thur 24 Oct, 7:30pm

Relaxed: Thur 31 Oct, 7:30pm

Babes-in-Arms: Thur 31 Oct, 2pm

Milli Bhatia and Sonali Bhattacharyya reunite for a comedy about sisterhood, freedom of speech, and dissent in the face of institutionalised Islamophobia in LIBERATION SQUARE.

When two British Muslim teenagers are introduced to charismatic social media activist Xara, who challenges them to speak up, the three girls undergo a political awakening when they realise what you say, and even what you think, is viewed very differently depending on who you are. Friendships fracture and loyalties are tested as the three pursue different avenues of resistance to scrutiny and surveillance. Inspired by graphic novels, hip hop, pop culture and real-world youth activists, Liberation Squares asks audiences to consider what it takes for young Muslim women today to be the heroes of their own stories.

Sabi and Ruqaya have been best friends since their mothers first met at Baby Rhyme Time at the library. They now spend their time making TikToks, choreographing dance routines, beat-boxing, rapping and hiding from bullies. Everything changes when the charismatic and provocative social media activist Xara enters their lives. They just want to build their social media empire, or study astronomy, or refine their rap skills until they’re as good as Megan Thee Stallion, but they find themselves having to protest against state surveillance instead.

Liberation Squares was informed a series of workshops with young Muslim women from the East Midlands who fed into the early development of the play, helping inform the characters and narrative, and by extensive research and interviews with people impacted by the state surveillance Prevent* programme.

Sonali Bhattacharyya and Milli Bhatia’s previous collaboration, Chasing Hares at the Young Vic, won the Sonia Friedman Production Award and Theatre Uncut Political Playwriting Award. Milli is also known for the Olivier Award nominated seven methods of killing kylie jenner.

Writer Sonali Bhattacharyya said, “I wanted to write a play about the incredible imagination, inquisitiveness and creativity teenagers have – this is what forges the messy bond between Xara, Ruqaya, and Sabi. Right now, we’re witnessing rapidly normalised Islamophobia and racism, including in government policies like the Prevent surveillance programme, and I wanted to explore how this inhibits young people’s confidence, freedom of expression, and even their futures. I wanted to tell this story through the points of view of young people themselves, with all of the joyful spirit of rebellion that entails!”

Sonali Bhattacharyya’s plays include Arabian Nights (Bristol Old Vic), The Jungle Book (Chichester Festival Theatre), Chasing Hares (Young Vic), Two Billion Beats (Orange Tree Theatre and Korean translation at Kirkos Theatre, Seoul), Silence (Tara Theatre and Donmar Warehouse), Megaball (National Theatre Learning), Slummers (Cardboard Citizens/Bunker Theatre), The Invisible Boy(Kiln Theatre) and Assembly: The Teachers’ Play and 2066 (Almeida Theatre).

Milli Bhatia’s directing credits in theatre include Blue Mist by Mohamed-Zain Dada (Royal Court), Chasing Hares by Sonali Bhattacharyya (Young Vic), seven methods of killing kylie jenner by Jasmine Lee-Jones (Royal Court, 2019 and 2021, filmed in 2022, Swedish National Theatre 2022, USA transfer to the Public Theater New York and Woolly Mammoth Washington DC in 2023; nominated for Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in an affiliate theatre), Maryland by Lucy Kirkwood (co directed with Vicky Featherstone and Lucy Morrison, Royal Court/South Bank Centre), My White Best Friend and other letters left unsaid, co-curated with Rachel De-Lahay (Bunker 2018/2019, Royal Court 2020), Dismantle This Room (Bush Theatre/Royal Court), Half Full (Royal Court/RWCMD) and Baghdaddy by Jasmine Naziha Jones (Royal Court).

Fifth Word are a leading new writing company based in the East Midlands, founded in 2007. They make work with and for younger audiences (age 14-25) and under-served communities: uncovering the stories that need to be told. They amplify the stories of those who often go unheard or easily slip through the cracks in society. They collaborate with a range of communities who do not always see the arts as for them: empowering them to tell their own stories through different artistic means. Previous world premiere productions include We Need New Names, adapted by Mufaro Makubika from the Booker-shortlisted novel by NoViolet Bulawayo (Brixton House and UK tour 2023), LAVA by James Fritz (Nottingham Playhouse 2018; Soho Theatre and national tour Spring 2022), All The Little Lights by Jane Upton (Nottingham Playhouse/UK tour/Arcola Theatre 2017 – nominated for Best New Play by the Writers’ Guild Awards and for OffWestEnd Award for Best New Play; Joint Winner of the George Devine Award), Wreck by Toby Campion (Nottingham Playhouse 2017), Amateur Girl by Amanda Whittington (UK tour 2014) and Bones by Jane Upton (Edinburgh Festival 2011/ UK tour 2012).

Laura Ford, Artistic Director at Fifth Word said, “Fifth Word are delighted to have commissioned Sonali to develop this important and powerful play that explores what it might mean for Muslim girls to become the heroines of their own stories; and what it costs them when they attempt to protest injustice. During the development process, we’ve had the opportunity to work with a group of young Muslim women whose contributions have been vital in shaping the further development of the script. The play puts young female agency centre stage and will make for a thoroughly entertaining yet thought-provoking piece of theatre.”

Nottingham Playhouse is dedicated to making bold and thrilling world-class theatre, proudly made in Nottingham. In 2023, it was named the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre in the UK Theatre Awards. Nottingham Playhouse is one of the country’s leading producing theatres, renowned for creating ambitious and diverse productions, many of which have toured across the UK and have transferred to the West End and Broadway. The theatre’s acclaimed participation programme creates life-changing experiences for the local community and its Theatre of Sanctuary status ensures it is a space where everyone feels they belong. Nottingham Playhouse nurtures the next generation of theatre-makers through their dynamic artist support programme, Amplify. Recently awarded a Silver Carbon Literacy standard, Nottingham Playhouse is committed to continually improving its sustainability standards across productions and its Grade II* listed building.

Running Time: 90 mins approx, with no interval | Suitable for ages 14+

Content warning: contains sensitive subject matter including descriptions of Islamophobic and racist violence and references to racism and Islamophobia

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK 2024 Tour listing:

12 April – 8 June

fifthword.co.uk

12 – 27 Apr                  Nottingham Playhouse

                                         Wellington Circus, Nottingham NG1 5AF

                                    Tues – Sat & Mon 15^th 7.45pm, 2pm Thurs and Sat* | £17

                                    nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk | 0115 941 9419

                                    *See website for details of accessible performances

30 Apr – 1 May            North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford

South Parade, Oxford OX2 7JN

                                    8pm | £20 – £12

                                    www.thenorthwall.com | 01865 319450

2 – 11 May                    Brixton House, London

385 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8GL

                                    Tues – Sat 7pm, Weds & Sat 2.30pm | £22 – £18

                                    Brixtonhouse.co.uk | 020 7582 7680

16 – 18 May                 Birmingham REP

                                    Broad St, Birmingham B1 2EP

                                    8pm, Sat 3pm | From £14

www.birmingham-rep.co.uk | 0121 236 4455

24 – 25 May                  Northern Stage, Newcastle

Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7RH

                                    7.30pm | From £12

                                    www.northernstage.co.uk | 0191 230 5151

28 – 29 May                 Sheffield Theatres, Crucible Playhouse

Norfolk Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S1 2LA

                                    7.15pm | £14 – £12

                                    www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk | 0114 249 6000

5 – 7 June                    Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

                                    Belgrave Square, Coventry, West Midlands CV1 1GS

7.45pm, Thurs matinee 2.15pm | £24 – £10

www.belgrade.co.uk | 024 7655 3055

8 June                          Octagon Theatre, Bolton

                                    Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SB

                                    8pm | £13.50

                                    www.octagonbolton.co.uk | 01204 520 661