STRATFORD EAST LAUNCHES SOUTH ASIAN PROGRAMME FOR JULY 2026

Stratford East’s programme of South Asian work will commence from 8 – 18 July.  Comprising of fearless new writing, live music, comedy, cabaret and boundary-pushing performance, the dynamic line-up brings together award-winning theatre, bold storytelling and celebratory live experiences.

Martin Willis, Programming Associate at Stratford East said: ‘…The connection of Stratford East to its local South Asian community is a long and storied one and it’s a joy to contribute to that lineage. The programme is a real range, with theatrical works showcasing both historical struggles (‘Kanpur: 1857’) and current adversity (‘Blue Mist’), traditional narrative dance fused with cabaret (‘Heeramandi’), and all-out bombastic Bollywood joy (‘Say Shava Shava’), there really is something for everybody.’
Highlights include:

Kanpur: 1857 –Winner of the Asian Arts Award of Outstanding Production and the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund, the Edinburgh Fringe First winning sell-out smash hit returns to London. Written by and starring Niall Moorjani, Co-directed by and starring Jonathan Oldfield.
Blue Mist – Olivier Award-nominated play Blue Mist is a sharp, darkly funny story about truth, trust and ambition. Written by Mohamed-Zain Dada (Dizzy, Speed), directed by Milli Bhatia (Speed, seven methods of killing kylie jenner).
Brown Sauce – Brown Sauce Comedy Club is a London legend, celebrating the best of Asian comedy. Previous performers have included Nish Kumar, Eshaan Akhbar, Mawaan Rizwan, Ria Lina, Sindhu Vee, Ahir Shah, Atsuko Okatsu and Fatiha El-Ghorri. Line up to be announced.

Say Shava Shava – Marking 25 years since the release of K3G, one of Bollywood’s most iconic films, Say Shava Shava is a live vocal and dance celebration inspired by its unforgettable soundtrack and cultural impact.

Qawwali Live: with Hussain Brothers – Experience powerful Sufi Qawwali alongside beloved modern OSTs and Ghazals, from the 9th generation Hussain Brothers Qawwali Group. An electrifying night of soaring vocals, rhythm and devotion.

Heeramandi – A bold, sensory evening of British Asian cabaret that fuses contemporary and classical dance, music, burlesque and comedy into one electrifying celebration of art, desire and resistance. 18 July.

For more info see: www.stratfordeast.com