26 November 2025
Newsdesk
The cast has been unveiled for Sweetmeats, the hotly anticipated world premiere and co-production between Bush Theatre and Tara Theatre. Acclaimed actors Shobu Kapoor and Rehan Sheikh will lead the new play by Karim Khan, an intimate love story exploring romance later in life through a South Asian lens.
Shobu Kapoor (known for Polite Society and Eastenders) is set to play Hema, a woman determined to embrace a healthier lifestyle after years of indulging in sweet treats. Opposite her, Rehan Sheikh (Silence, Donmar Warehouse) will portray Liaquat, an unapologetic, rule-breaking newcomer who encourages Hema to savor life's pleasures. The piece explores the profound and aching pull of romance that the elderly pair thought they had long outgrown, with the simple yet evocative hook: "Their souls are on fire because after all these lonely days, they finally found their own."
Sweetmeats is written by the award-winning Karim Khan, whose play Brown Boys Swim was a breakout hit at the Edinburgh Fringe and transferred to Soho Theatre. The production is directed by Natasha Kathi-Chandra, Artistic Director of Tara Theatre, bringing her vision to the piece alongside a distinguished creative team including Set & Costume Designer Aldo Vázquez and Composer Amrit Kaur Lohia.
This poignant love story, combining a contemporary script with a powerhouse cast, runs at the Bush Theatre from 7 February to 21 March 2026, with the press night scheduled for Friday, 13 February. Tickets are available for various dates and accessible performances, including Relaxed, Captioned, and Audio-described shows. This co-production promises to be a vibrant fixture of the spring theatre season.
Sweetmeats plays at the Bush Theatre from 7 February – 21 March 2026.
