First look: rehearsal images for The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre

The National Theatre has released rehearsal photos for Anupama Chandrasekhar’s critically acclaimed The Father and the Assassin, directed by the Kiln Theatre’s Artistic-Director, Indhu Rubasingham.  This gripping new play by one of India’s most exciting playwrights, returns to the Olivier Theatre from 8 September.

2022 Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi, West End) plays the role of Nathuram Godse, Ghandi’s assassin with Paul Bazely (Cruella, Disney) reprising his role as Mahatma Gandhi. 

The previously announced cast also includes Azan Ahmed (The Tempest, Shakespeare Globe), Ravi Aujla (The Lehman Trilogy, National Theatre/Neal Street Productions), Ayesha Dharker (Chasing Hares, Young Vic), Marc Elliott (She Loves Me, Sheffield Theatres), Ravin J Ganatra (When Winston went to War with the Wireless, Donmar Warehouse), Raj Ghatak (The Kite Runner, UK Productions/Flying Entertainment), Sasha Ghoshal (Bend it Like Beckham the Musical, Starvox Ents), Halema Hussain (Does My Bomb Look Big In This?, Tamasha Theatre), Nadeem Islam (Antigone, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Tony Jayawardena (East is East, Birmingham REP/National Theatre), Aysha Kala (The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre), Nicholas Khan (Life of Pai, Simon Friend Entertainment), Raj Khera, Hari Mackinnon (The Cherry Orchard, Yard Theatre/ETT/HOME), Johndeep More (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Perth Theatre), Aryana Ramkhalawon (Exodus, National Theatre of Scotland), Sid Sagar (Cabaret, ATG/Underbelly) and Akshay Shah (Kabul Goes Pop, Hope Mill Theatre).

This gripping play traces Nathuram  Godse’s life over 30 years during India’s fight for independence: from a devout follower of Gandhi, through to his radicalisation and their tragic final encounter in Delhi in 1948. 

Director Indhu Rubasingham reunites with writer Anupama Chandrasekhar for this essential exploration of oppression and extremism. 

The Father and the Assassin runs from 8 September to 14 October 2023 at the National Theatre, London

Rehearsal photos: The Father and the Assassin

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