The Next Act is a podcast series spotlighting the voices shaping the future of British South Asian theatre. Each episode centres on a conversation with a single playwright, examining their creative process alongside the political, personal, and artistic forces that inform their work.
Hosted by Dr Jaswinder Blackwell-Pal (Lecturer in Theatre and Performance, QMUL), Shiroma Silva (BBC broadcaster and presenter), and Rukhsana Ahmad (playwright and founder of Kali Theatre), The Next Act brings together lively, thoughtful conversations that explore the present and future of British South Asian. From the first spark of an idea to the challenges of production, the series shines a light on the creative journeys of some of the most exciting new voices in the field.
The past decade has seen a resurgence of British South Asian theatre, with a new generation of playwrights, whose work speaks to contemporary themes and stories, coming into the spotlight. These writers are not only making their mark on the contemporary stage, but also responding to the legacy of the British South Asian theatre canon, reworking its themes, challenging its limits, and forging new theatrical languages for a changing world. Their work reflects urgent questions for theatre makers and audiences: how theatre speaks from, to, and with British Asian communities; how identity is shaped and reshaped through performance; and how stories rooted in specific experiences can resonate far beyond them.
The Next Act is also a space for open dialogue about the challenges and opportunities facing British South Asian theatre today - from representation and access, to innovation, funding, and the evolving role of culture in public life. It offers a front-row seat to a shifting landscape, where bold new stories are being told, traditions are being reimagined, and a new generation of playwrights is crafting the future of British South Asian theatre.
Follow the series to hear these perspectives, stories and ideas.
All episodes are available to stream for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Stay tuned to the website and the podcast for information about an upcoming public event to launch the podcast, and explore its themes and findings.
Mohamed-Zain Dada
Azma Dar
Sonali Bhattacharyya
Neil D'Souza
Iman Qureshi
Waleed Akhtar
Satinder Chohan
Naylah Ahmed
Jaswinder Blackwell-Pal
Shiroma Silva
Rukhsana Ahmad
Kavita Kukar
Maliha Haider
Carrie Luce
Matthew Kowalczuk
Arjun Mahadevan
