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Tara Theatre

@tara_theatre

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We make politically charged, innovative theatre, exploring the world through a South Asian lens.

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NOVA is heading into its fourth year! ✨️

As next year’s programme is exploring the theme of futurism, we thought it was the perfect time to look back at where NOVA began, the writers we’ve championed and the stories that have grown along the way.

Swipe through to revisit the journey so far 👀

Photography by @adam.razvi for I Dream of Theresa May

NOVA is Tara Theatre’s flagship playwriting and seed commission programme for writers of South Asian heritage or connections.

It is a space for writers to take risks, develop new work and bring bold stories to life.

In its first year, NOVA discovered I Dream of Theresa May by Vivek Nityananda

What began as a 15 minute extract went on to receive a full commission at Tara Theatre.

South Asian stories are not one story
 NOVA is helping to build a richer, more expansive South Asian theatre canon, making room for new perspectives, bold ideas and voices that challenge expectations.

Through dramaturgical support and a paid commission, NOVA gives writers the opportunity to experiment, sharpen their craft and take their ideas from the page towards the stage.

As Tara Theatre celebrates 50 years of championing South Asian voices, NOVA is part of our future. 
Honouring the stories that brought us here and investing in the writers who will shape what comes next. by @tara_theatre

🚀 NOVA writers 2027 announced 🚀

We are thrilled to announce the writers selected for NOVA, our groundbreaking initiative championing South Asian playwrights and voices.

The NOVA 2027 playwrights and scripts are:

Steward-ship by Carina Chatlani @cchatlani
The Steward-ship follows two seventh-generation stewards aboard a spaceship to preserve cultural artifacts for a future they will never witness. After breaking a sacred oath, the stewards question their duties, legacies, and whether their contributions can shape a world centuries beyond their lifetimes.

The Good Son Programme by Jaspreet Kaur @behindthenetra
Set in 2076, The Good Son Programme follows a Punjabi family navigating a government system designed to prevent male violence, exploring how feminist policies can reinforce racial prejudice, surveillance and control.

SMOKED by Usaamah Hussain @usaamahhussain
A darkly comic, physical and surreal play, SMOKED follows two estranged British Pakistani cousins who break into a fish farm to steal a load of very expensive salmon. But when a freaky monster begins hunting them, things take a turn.

HUGE congratulations to our selected writers and thank you to everyone who applied! by @tara_theatre

📣 SOUTH ASIAN PLAY READING GROUP: NOOR 📣

Next Wednesday, the Tara Theatre South Asian Play Reading Group is exploring the extraordinary story of Noor Inayat Khan; a princess, poet, pacifist and World War II spy.

Noor was originally commissioned and produced by @kalitheatreuk in 2022. Through a moving and inspirational story of espionage, resistance and bravery, we cross borders and enter a shadowy world of secrets, code names and shifting loyalties,

Actors, playwrights and theatre lovers, come read with us.

🗓️ Wed 28 Oct 2026
🎭 Tara Theatre
🎟️ Free tickets via the link in bio by @tara_theatre

📣 SOUTH ASIAN PLAY READING GROUP: KABADDI KABADDI KABADDI BY SATINDER CHOHAN 📣

Set across two timeframes - 1936 amid Indian revolutionary unrest as the Berlin Olympics approach, and 2012 at London’s Olympic Stadium. This play follows descendants who grapple with love, legacy and the sport that binds them.

Next Wednesday, we’re reading Satinder Chohan's play Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi which explores family, history and competition through the iconic sport, Kabaddi. We’re also excited to be joined by Satinder!

Join us for an afternoon of new writing, conversation and play reading.
Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi was a co-production between @kalitheatreuk and Pursued by a Bear.
🗓️ Wed 21 Oct 2026
🎭 Tara Theatre
🎟️ Free tickets via the link in our bio by @tara_theatre

🚨 TICKETS ARE FLYING 🚨

Grab your tickets for The Comedy Lab before they’re gone. Expect a night of fiery comedy as @brownsaucehaha and host @sharlincomedy return to Tara Theatre with headliner @sukhkaurojlaofficial and special guest @joshuabethania_comedy.

Plus, see the next wave of South Asian stand-up as eight up-and-coming comedians each take the stage for five-minute sets!

🎭 Tara Theatre
📅 Saturday 17 October, 7:30pm
🎟️ Get your tickets now via the link in our bio! by @tara_theatre

🔥 ONE WEEK TO GO! 🔥

Get ready for a night of spicy, unfiltered comedy as @brownsaucehaha x Tara Theatre returns with host @sharlincomedy, headline act @sukhkaurojlaofficial and special guest @joshuabethania_comedy.

Plus, catch the next generation of South Asian comedy talent as eight emerging comedians take to the stage with their own five-minute sets!

🎭 Tara Theatre
📅 Saturday 17 October, 7:30pm
🎟️ Get your tickets now via the link in our bio! by @tara_theatre

Tara Theatre are pleased to announce our shortlist for NOVA 2026/27 ✍️

We received so many remarkable submissions this year and we want to thank every single playwright who took to time to submit their work to our team to read 💫

👀 Keep an eye out for the announcement of the NOVA playwrights later this month. Those selected will receive a commission worth £1,500 as well as mentoring and dramaturgical support, resulting in a public performance of their work.

✨ This year's NOVA Shortlist ✨
Kayleigh Caird
Danish Latif
Jaspreet Kaur
Ruth D'Silva
Usaamah Hussain
Joshua Elliott
Carina Chatlani
Shemiza Rashid by @tara_theatre

📣 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

Meet the official cohort of The Comedy Lab 2026!

Join us and @brownsaucehaha at Tara Theatre for a night of stand-up comedy with the brightest South Asian comedy stars of tomorrow!

📆 Sat 17 October, 7.30 PM
🎟️ Tickets are available via the link in our bio

Full 2026 cohort:
Anish J
Chin Siri @HotGirlSiri
Isabella @this.is.isabella
Raj Pander @_rajpander
Reese Patel @reesepatelcomedy
Saloni Gupta @salonigupta02
Shugufta Choudhry @shugufta_doescomedy
Yasser Kayani @yasserkayani

Headliner: Sukh Ojla @sukhkaurojlaofficial
Special guest appearance: Joshua Bethania @joshuabethania_comedy
Hosted by Sharlin Jahan @sharlincomedy by @tara_theatre

We’re so delighted to see Tara Theatre’s work recognised with three nominations in the Asian Media Awards @asianmediaawards 2026 shortlist. ✨

Congratulations to the amazing teams behind I Dream of Theresa May, written by Vivek Nityananda; Sweetmeats, written by Karim Khan @karim4782 and to Rehan Sheikh for his wonderful performance as Liaqat in Sweetmeats.

Both Sweetmeats and I Dream of Theresa May were directed by our talented Artistic Director, Natasha Kathi-Chandra. They have both been nominated for Best Stage Production. Rehan Sheikh has been nominated for Outstanding Stage Performance. We are very proud to have co-produced Sweetmeats with our friends at the @bushtheatre .

It’s a joy to see our two productions, and Rehan’s brilliant performance, recognised alongside such an exciting range of talent from across the UK media landscape.

We’re incredibly proud to see Tara Theatre represented across three nominations in this year’s shortlist. Congratulations to everyone nominated! ❤️ Photography by @craigfullerphotography for Sweetmeats and @adam.razvi for I Dream of Theresa May by @tara_theatre

📣 SOUTH ASIAN PLAY READING GROUP: THE MISEDUCATION OF DESI MILLENNIALS BY KARIM KHAN 📣

Someone’s turning 30 and things are about to get messy 👀

This Wednesday, we’re reading Karim Khan’s new play in-development, a funny, angsty story about love, friendship and figuring out adulthood. And excitingly, we'll be joined by Karim himself!

Join us for an afternoon of new writing, conversation and play reading.

🗓️ Wed 30 Sept 2026
🎭 Tara Theatre
🎟️ Free tickets via the link in our bio by @tara_theatre