Ahsan Khan (Udaari, Mausam, Dastaan, Hum TV) and Rasheeda Ali (Anita and Me, Theatre Royal Stratford East; Crossing the Border, Channel 4) will take on the roles of love interests Ranjha and Heer alongside Adnan Jaffar (Jalaibee; Manto; Karachi: The Musical) who will play villain Kaido in new multicultural Sufi musical ISHQ at Sadler’s Wells this September.
Performed in English, this world premiere will feature specially commissioned music and choreography from across Pakistan and the UK. It is the love story that shook a patriarchal society, putting the empowerment of women centre stage.
ISHQ tells the tale of two lovers and their feuding families and holds the same place in Punjabi literature as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This exciting musical spectacle will feature a combination of classical and modern dance with a unique blend of poetry and fusion music.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Punjab, ISHQ is a collaboration between Pakistani and British artists which will celebrate unity, diversity and Pakistani culture within the UK.
SERENDIP’s Managing Director and the Producer and Production Designer of ISHQ, Huma Beg comments, All of us are extremely excited that after months and months of searching, auditions and prayers that we have found the trio to launch ISHQ along with a fabulous supporting cast that will bring the lyrics and dialogues of Heer, Ranjha and Kaido alive for an English audience.
Performance Dates Thursday 7th – Saturday 9th September 2017
Thursday - Saturday, 7.30pm
Saturday, 2.30pm
Running time 120 minutes (including interval)
Facebook /ishqthemusical
Twitter @ishqthemusical
Producer & Production Designer Huma Beg
Director Farooq Beg
Playwright Mushfiq Murshed
Lyricists Farooq Beg, Owen Smith and Ian Brandon
Composer (UK) Ian Brandon
Composer (Pakistan) Emu (Fuzon)
Choreographer and Dramaturg Owen Smith
Choreographer (Pakistan) Suhaee Abro
Set and Lighting Designer Declan Randall
Orchestrator Lawrence Michalowski
Costume designer Samina Aslam
Associate Producer Tara Finney Productions
Music Advisor and Flutist Kansia Pritchard
Production Manager Chris Firth
General Manager Hannah Elsy
Company Stage Manager Fodhla O'Brien
Deputy Stage Manager Kelly Plank
Camera and Website Danyaal Beg
Assistant Stage Managers Steph Hammersley
Kate Clemet
Props and Jewellery Manager Anila Rubab
Costume Manager Rabia Sana
Administration Tauqir Abbas Kiyani
Ranjha Ahsan Khan
Heer Rasheeda Ali
Kaido Adnan Jaffar
Ensemble cast Rachel Viccaji
Irfan Damani
Arti Mirwani-Daltry
Adam Samuel Bal
Fahad Mirza
Suhaee Abro
Mushfiq Murshed
Kerry Newell
Louis Gaunt
Jessica Simmons
Adam Taylor
Samir Khan
Jocelyn Prah
Notes Ages 12+
Location Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Ave, Islington, London EC1R 4TN
How to get there The theatre is a short walk from Angel underground station (Northern Line), Islington. The nearest mainline station is Kings Cross station.
Box Office Tickets are available priced from £20.
Available from www.sadlerswells.com and 020 7863 8000.
SERENDIP Productions Ltd.
SERENDIP was established in 1997. The Serendip team is considered as one of Pakistan’s leading production and communications companies that pioneered innovative and development communications in the country. They are veterans at using drama to bring about societal and individual behavioural change. These award winning producers have tackled challenging and diverse issues pertaining to the Asian population in the UK and Pakistan through dramas, both on film and live theatre.
SERENDIP theatre productions are known for their creative and bold approach. They created Pakistan’s first widely acclaimed ‘Sound & Light live drama extravaganzas’ at World Heritage sites. These shows were internationally recognised and have provided a source of sustainable income for artists from all backgrounds. This project also aided in the preservation of these sites. Recent productions include 19 at the National Art Council that dealt with the growing problem of drug addiction amongst Pakistani youth.
SERENDIP has explored various relevant issues, including: disability, gender, consanguineous marriages, sexual abuse, and racial harassment. They have won numerous awards for their work. They were the producers of the first ever foreign language film to win the coveted Grand Prix at the IVCA awards in London for one of the earliest films to tackle HIV and Aids.
Serendip’s meaningful productions have entertained the masses and dignitaries, alike, as the appeal of their work transcends all divisions.
70th Anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence
In 1947 Pakistan was carved out of undivided India under British rule. The country has since emerged as a dynamic young nation and this year celebrates 70 years of independence and Pakistan-UK relations. To commemorate this, ISHQ will celebrate the rich and diverse heritage and culture of Pakistan.
