February - March 2019
The Funeral Director by Iman Qureshi (UK Tour)
An English Touring Theatre and
Papatango co-production
Papatango co-production
Stage One Trainee Producer for English Touring Theatre
Behind the Scenes Video: All about 'The Funeral Director', Filmed and Edited by Craig Nom Chong
★★★★
“ Every year the Papatango New Writing Prize comes up with a bit of a cracker…tackles, with grace and dignity, the tricky subject of Islamic attitudes to same-sex relationships. ”
The Guardian
(Original Southwark Playhouse production)
(Original Southwark Playhouse production)
“I just thought it would be a secret I’d have to die with. And now – I think it’ll be what kills me.”
Life as the director of a Muslim funeral parlour isn’t always easy, but Ayesha has things pretty sorted. She and Zeyd share everything: a marriage, a business, a future.
Until Tom walks in to organise his boyfriend’s funeral. A snap moral decision, informed by the values of Ayesha’s community and faith, has profound consequences.
Forced to confront a secret she has hidden even from herself, Ayesha must decide who she is – no matter the cost.
Chosen from 1,384 entries to the 2018 Papatango New Writing Prize, The Funeral Director is an incisive and heartfelt story of sexuality, gender and religion in 21st-century Britain.
CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST
Written by Iman Quershi
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Hannah Hauer-King
Designer Amy Jane Cook
Lighting Designer Jack Weir
Sound Designer Max Pappenheim
Advertising & Marketing Joe Public Ltd
Press & Publicity Kate Morley PR
Production Manager Ian Taylor
Stage Manager Robyn Cross
Producer for English Touring Theatre James Quaife
Producers for PapaTango
Chris Foxon and George Turvey
Chris Foxon and George Turvey
Production Photography by Mihaela Bodlovic
CAST
Aryana Ramkhalawon
Edward Stone
Assad Zaman
Francesca Zoutewelle
TOUR VENUES
7 – 9 March 2019
Traverse Theatre
Traverse Theatre
21 March 2019
The North Wall, Oxford
The North Wall, Oxford
14 – 16 March 2019
Nottingham Playhouse
Nottingham Playhouse
27 – 30 March 2019
HOME Manchester
HOME Manchester
PRESS QUOTES
FROM THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION
FROM THE ETT / PAPATANGO TOUR
★★★★
“ This unflinching text is a charged, thought-provoking piece with
relevance beyond its geographic
and cultural setting. ”
relevance beyond its geographic
and cultural setting. ”
★★★★
“ The Funeral Director is a powerful,
thought-provoking 90 minutes of theatre, which shows great promise
from all involved. ”
thought-provoking 90 minutes of theatre, which shows great promise
from all involved. ”
“ Thought-provoking… Tackles sensitive subjects without sensationalising them or passing judgement. ”
“ A powerful insight into tensions not always so evident on mainstream stages… The growing tension and movement into an angry defence of his religion from Zeyd (Assad Zaman) is a particular standout. ”
ADDITIONAL CONTENT CREATED FOR The Funeral Director
For more information regarding the below and for more content, please visit the CONTENT section of my website.
'The Funeral Director' Cast Announcement
'The Funeral Director' Tour Trailer
