Ankur Productions and Tramway present the world premiere of Heer Ranjha (Retold) by Shan Khan which opens at Tramway, Glasgow on Friday 21 November 2008. It is a gritty updating of a classic Asian folk tale, relocates it from the fields of the Punjab to the streets of Pollokshields and takes a sharp look at inter-communal relations. It tells the story of Ranjha, a poor Muslim restaurant worker, who is pulled out of the Clyde by a boatful of partygoers; he looks up and sees Heer, the fast-living daughter of a Glasgow Currry King, and a Sikh. Love, intrigue and tragedy swiftly follow.

The cast includes Nalini Chetty (Heer), Tom Kanji (Ranjha) and Michael D’Cruze (Kaidu), Amerjit Deu (Mr. Saleti), Tania Rodrigues (Mrs Saleti), Vincent Friel (Policeman / Samaritan), Tagz’ Mahammed Nasser (Asif), Sharita Scott (Mona), Manjot Sumai (Mosque Attendant / Pal).

The production is directed by Daljinder Singh, winner of The Arches Directing Award 2008, ‘an emerging star’ (Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman). This fast moving show features music from DJs Tigerstyle, renowned for their Bhangra/hip-hop fusion, design by Kai Fischer (Vanishing Point) and choreography by Paul Joseph (Kultyer Dance).

ABOUT SHAN KHAN

Shan Khan’s first play The Office was awarded the 2000 Verity Bargate Award and presented by Soho Theatre at the 2001 Edinburgh International Festival before transferring to London. He followed this with Prayer Room, a co-production between the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh and Birmingham Rep for the 2005 Festival and is now adapting this as a film for BBC Drama. His third play, Cleanskins, was commissioned by the New National Theatre, Tokyo to open their International Playwriting Season in 2007 and he also wrote the libretto for the ENO’s groundbreaking production Gadaffi in 2006.

Please note there will be no performances on Sunday 23 and Monday 24 November.

Post Show Discussion on Friday 28 November hosted by Shereen Nanjiani.

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