Kali Theatre’s HOME Plays

A week of script-in-hand performances of six cutting-edge new plays exploring, challenging and reimagining our idea of ‘home’.

Four established playwrights alongside two innovative writers from our Discovery programme ask what it means to call Britain ‘home’ in 2021 from the unique perspective of female writers with a South Asian background.

When the Fire’s Gone Out

Tuesday 12 October 7pm

Written by Naylah Ahmed | Directed by Helena Bell 

Two mothers, disparate, yet inextricably connected. When the Fire’s Gone Out examines the impact of terrorism abroad and its legacy at home.

Stateless

Wednesday 13 October 7pm

Written by Alia Bano | Directed by Tessa Walker

When Sara Khan decides to defend a woman who travelled to Syria to support IS, the tensions within her marriage and family rise to the surface. Inspired by the political debate around the Shamima Begum case, Stateless asks – What is a citizen? How do we determine who belongs and who doesn’t? Who has a right to call the UK ‘home’?

Empire of the Mind

Thursday 14 October 7pm

Written by Satinder Chohan | Directed by Poonam Brah

‘Empires of the future will be empires of the mind’ – Winston Churchill
Empire of the Mind conjures a 20th century colonial island past and its fallout in a 21st century psychotic British present.

King Troll 

Friday 15 October 7pm

Written by Sonali Bhattacharyya | Directed by Milli Bhatia

A dystopian tale about the corrosive effect of the all too real Hostile Environment against migrants on two sisters. How do we dismantle the master’s house?

The Sweet Flood 

Saturday 16 October 4.30pm

Written by Maeve Scullion | Directed by Helena Bell

Desperate for a distraction from global warming and the destruction of our planet, environmentalist Riya maps out new territory with her lover Avanti. A story of love, sexuality and an empowered desire to save the world.

Trigger Warning: The Sweet Flood includes strong language, adult content and sensitive subject matter, including references to sex, self-harm and suicide

 

Further Information

  • Dates: 12 Oct – 16 Oct 2021
  • Prices: £8 - £10
  • Running time: See 'Further Information'
  • Venue: Tara Theatre
  • Age: See 'Further Information'
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When the Fire’s Gone Out

From the Writer, Naylah Ahmed:‘I wanted to explore the fall out of contrasting losses; a life suddenly taken by a horrific, terrorist act, and one taken by a targeted government drone. What happens when the news dies down but two obliterated bodies still remain? How do those left behind deal with such loss?’ The answers to such questions resulted in this play.’

Approximate Running Time: 90 mins

Age recommendation: 14+

 

Stateless

From the Writer, Alia Bano: ‘I wanted to tell the story of an average UK Muslim family and how the fallout from the discussion surrounding the Shamima Begum case affects their psyche and the position it leads them to take. This story is urgent, it raises questions about the effect of fear on a society and how that affects our decisions, and asks what are our responsibilities as a global citizen?’

Approximate Running Time: 80 mins

Age recommendation: 14+

 

Empire of the Mind

From the Writer, Satinder Chohan: ‘This play explores the darker side of imperial history involving the ruthless pursuit of power and profit as it subjugated and exploited people of colour the world over. Through psychologies and dreams, the play explores the colonising processes, conflicts and crimes through characters who morph via generational incarnations into the present.’

Approximate Running Time: 60 mins

Age recommendation: 14+

 

King Troll 

From the Writer, Sonali Bhattacharyya: ‘King Troll is about sisters, Riya and Nikita, as they navigate the increasingly authoritarian island they call home. It is about the troll that lives in all of us – the one who whispers for us to take short cuts, to sell our people down the river, to get ahead. Who whispers ‘me, not us’, and definitely ‘me first.’

Approximate Running Time: 60 mins

Age recommendation: 14+

 

The Sweet Flood 

From the Writer, Maeve Scullion: ‘I wanted to explore how personal destruction extrapolates outwards into environmental destruction, and an apathy about the destruction of our planet – a mindset that anything goes because nothing matters. I wanted to explore how personal healing and strength leads to an empowered desire to save this world we are living in and truly be committed towards that cause.’

Approximate Running Time: 40 mins

Age recommendation: 16+

 

 

Tickets

£10 full price

£8 concessions

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