“It was a great tragedy. We were friends one day and enemies the next. I will take these things to my grave.”
The 1947 partition of India saw millions uprooted and resulted in unspeakable violence. The partition resulted in the formation of three countries: India, West Pakistan and East Pakistan – now Pakistan and Bangladesh. It would also shape modern Britain. Witnesses to this brutal moment in history live among us, yet the stories of that time remain shrouded in silence.
SILENCE is a new play focused on communal storytelling – presenting a shared history inspired by the remarkable personal testimonies of people who lived through the last days of the British Raj. Commissioned to mark the 75th anniversary of partition, SILENCE is adapted from Kavita Puri’s acclaimed book Partition Voices: Untold British Stories and was originally co-produced with the Donmar Warehouse.
The production examined the legacy of this brutal moment in history. Abdul Shayek, former Artistic Director of Tara Theatre, directed the original production and had developed this version for touring at the time of his death in August 2023. Iqbal Khan, Artistic Director of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, and a friend and colleague of Abdul’s, will step in to direct the touring version.
Silence is adapted from the testimonies and stories of people who lived through Partition. It is based on Kavita Puri’s acclaimed book Partition Voices: Untold British Stories and written by Sonali Bhattacharyya, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Ishy Din and Alexandra Wood.
Original production directed and developed for tour by Abdul Shayek
Directed by Iqbal Khan
From an original co-production by Tara Theatre and The Donmar Warehouse
In association with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch
SILENCE UK Tour Free Sheet
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch
6 Apr – 13 Apr
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The Curve, Leicester
16 Apr – 20 Apr
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Birmingham Rep
23 Apr – 27 Apr
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HOME, Manchester
30 Apr – 4 May
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Content Advisory
PLEASE NOTE This production features flashing lights, loud noises and strong language.
SILENCE contains scenes that some people may find difficult to watch. The themes of these scenes are detailed below.
This section contains plot information.
SILENCE contains the following content:
Strong language and references to: genocide, colonialism, population displacement, bodily harm, sexual violence, famine, suicide, prostitution, abduction, racism, religious violence – all in the context of the Partition of India and the legacy of Empire.
The stories from this play are dramatisations of personal testimony. People may find this content triggering and distressing.
Access Performances
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch
Sat 13 Apr, 2:30PM – Audio Described
The Curve, Leicester
Thu 18 Apr, 7:45PM – BSL Interpreted
Fri 19 Apr, 7:45PM – Captioned
Sat 20 Apr, 2:30PM – Audio Described
Birmingham Rep
Sat 27 Apr, 2:45PM – Captioned
Sat 27 Apr, 7:45PM – Audio Described
SILENCE TOUR INFO PACK
