Casting is complete for Wise Children and the Royal Shakespeare Company's co-production of the world première of Hanif Kureishi’s The Buddha of Suburbia, adapted by Wise Children Artistic Director Emma Rice with Kureishi.
Rice will also direct the production, based on Kureishi's novel, with previews set to begin April 18 at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon with an official opening April 30. The limited engagement will continue through June 1.
The cast will feature Dee Ahluwalia as Karim; Ankur Bahl as Haroon; Raj Bajaj as Changez; Tommy Belshaw as Charlie and Shadwell; Rina Fatania as Tracey, Jeeta, Marlene, and Auntie Jean; Natasha Jayetileke as Jamila; Bettrys Jones as Margaret and Eleanor; Simon Rivers as Anwar and Uncle Ted; Lucy Thackeray as Eva; and Ewan Wardrop as Matthew Pyke.
Rice said in a statement, “Hanif Kureishi’s debut novel The Buddha of Suburbia is a messy, joyful, and angry love letter to family, theatre, and music. Funny and tender in equal measure, this landmark story fizzes with rebellion, confusion, love, and acceptance.
“I couldn’t be more delighted to be working with my hero Hanif Kureishi on transforming his literary masterpiece into a joyful theatrical whoop. As the dawn of a new era shines upon the Swan stage, Buddha promises to be dashing, dirty, devastating, and hopeful—just as theatre should be!”
Kureishi added, “I am absolutely thrilled that Emma Rice is adapting my novel for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Emma has a uniquely theatrical imagination, which, in combination with my own theatre background and the novel’s partial setting in the theatre, will result in a vibrant and provocative production.”
The production will also have set design by Rachana Jadhav, costume design by Vicki Mortimer, sound and video design by Simon Baker, lighting design by Jai Morjaria, music by composer Niraj Chag, choreography by Etta Murfitt, fight direction by Kev McCurdy, and casting by Matthew Dewsbury.
The forthcoming production is part of Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey’s inaugural season as RSC co-artistic directors.
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