Tara Theatre have announced the full cast for the UK tour of Silence. A powerful, radical and thought-provoking docu-theatre show that dives deep into the unheard stories of those who lived through the Partition of India. Silence opens at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch 6 – 13 April before embarking on a UK tour to Leicester, Birmingham and Manchester.
Iqbal Khan will direct Tia Dutt (Faith, Hope and Charity, National Theatre/European Tour), Alexandra D’sa (Ackley Bridge, Channel 4), Aaron Gill (The Empress, Royal Shakespeare Company), Mamta Kaash (Women of Mahabharat, Tara Theatre), Asif Khan (Handbagged, UK Tour), alongside Bhasker Patel who returns to the production (Rishi Sharma on Emmerdale, ITV).
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. Abdul grew up in East London and was local to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch so was eager for Silence to tour right to the heart of his community. Iqbal Khan, Associate Director of Birmingham Rep, 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. And, was awarded four stars by Time Out, and stated as “essential viewing” by the Evening Standard and “shattering and necessary” by The Stage.
This new production, including script and set design, has been updated since Silence’s 2022 run at the Donmar Warehouse.
Iqbal Khan, Director of Silence commented: “I’m delighted to announce this new cast, and to work with this extraordinary group of actors. Together, we’re going to share the re-mounting of a necessary and vibrant piece of work that tells the story of a critical moment in British, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi history.
“Abdul’s legacy lives on through Silence, last year he was updating the script and having conversations about a brand new feel to the show. I’m so proud to be able to take this onwards and to share it with audiences across the country.”
Helen Jeffreys, Executive Director of Tara Theatre added: “Silence is a production that gives voice to the stories of Partition, and a history that was shrouded in shame and trauma bearing the mark of the brutal ineptitude of British colonialism. By taking this play to audiences across the country we hope that these real-life testimonies uncover the reality of an often unspoken period. This is not just South Asian history but a monumental feature of British history. We are proud and grateful to be working with this wonderful cast, alongside Iqbal and the rest of the creative team.”
The 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan saw millions uprooted and resulted in unspeakable violence. It would shape modern Britain forever. Witnesses to this brutal moment in history live among us, yet the stories of that time remain shrouded in silence.
77 years later, Silence is a 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.
“India would be carved up in just 10 weeks, an act which forced dada’s family to flee. And so many others. And so many to die.”
The original London production was co-produced with the Donmar Warehouse in 2022, and marked the 75th anniversary of Partition.
Tickets from £12.50 (plus 70p QNext fee). Under 26s £8. To book, call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit queens-theatre.co.uk