Wise Children has announced casting for its world premiere stage adaptation of Hanif Kureishi’s The Buddha of Suburbia.
Adapted and directed by Wise Children’s Artistic Director Emma Rice, and adapted with Hanif Kureishi, the production will play at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in a co-production with the Royal Shakespeare Company, from 18 April to 1 June 2024.
The cast includes Dee Ahluwalia (Karim), Ankur Bahl (Haroon), Raj Bajaj (Changez), Tommy Belshaw (Charlie/ Shadwell), Rina Fatania (Tracey/Jeeta/Marlene/Auntie Jean), Natasha Jayetileke (Jamila), Bettrys Jones (Margaret/ Eleanor), Simon Rivers (Anwar/ Uncle Ted), Lucy Thackeray (Eva) and Ewan Wardrop (Matthew Pyke).
The creative team also includes Set Designer Rachana Jadhav; Costume Designer Vicki Mortimer; Sound and Video Designer Simon Baker; Lighting Designer Jai Morjaria; Composer Niraj Chag; Choreographer Etta Murfitt; Fight Director Kev McCurdy; and Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Emma Rice, Artistic Director of Wise Children said in a statement: “I’m honoured and excited to be part of Tamara and Daniel’s inaugural season as Co-Artistic Directors at the RSC. It’s magic to be returning to The Swan stage – and in such a thrilling way! There’ll be no iambic pentameter here, oh no! Expect party poppers, lawn mowers, bean bags and balloons! Hanif Kureishi’s debut novel The Buddha of Suburbia is a messy, joyful, and angry love letter to family, theatre and music. Funny and tender in equal measure, this landmark story fizzes with rebellion, confusion, love and acceptance. I couldn’t be more delighted to be working with my hero Hanif Kureishi on transforming his literary masterpiece into a joyful theatrical whoop. As the dawn of a new era shines upon the Swan stage, Buddha promises to be dashing, dirty, devasting and hopeful – just as theatre should be!”
Hanif Kureishi said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Emma Rice is adapting my novel for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Emma has a uniquely theatrical imagination, which, in combination with my own theatre background and the novel’s partial setting in the theatre, will result in a vibrant and provocative production.”
The Buddha of Suburbia is billed as an irresistible, heart-breaking and joyful exploration of family, friends, sex, theatre and, ultimately, belonging, based on Hanif Kureishi’s award-winning 1990 novel.
Wise Children is currently touring with its production of Blue Beard.
More about tickets to The Buddha of Suburbia
More about the cast of The Buddha of Suburbia
Dee Ahluwalia plays Karim. This is Dee’s debut season with the RSC. His theatre credits include Our Generation (National Theatre). For television, his work includes Everything Now, A Gentleman in Moscow and Fifteen Love; and for film, Consent.
Ankur Bahl plays Haroon. His theatre credits include Volpone, The Empress, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, The Comedy of Errors (RSC), The Father and the Assassin (National Theatre), Wise Children (Wise Children/The Old Vic), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe), Can We Talk About This?, To Be Straight With You (DV8/National Theatre). For television his credits include The Regime, Mary and George, Silo, Suspect, and Avenue 5; and for film, Albion, Buckingham Murders and The Surprise.
Raj Bajaj plays Changez. His theatre credits include Empress, Tartuffe, Tamburlaine (Royal Shakespeare Company), Wildfire Road (Sheffield Crucible), Hobson’s Choice (Royal Exchange Manchester), Rapunzel (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Lions & Tigers, The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare’s Globe) and East is East (Northern Stage). For television, his credits include Casualty, The Offenders, Killing Eve, Doctor Who and The Garden; and for film, The Lecture, Pray, A Christmas Prince 2 and A Christmas Prince 3.
Tommy Belshaw plays Charlie/ Shadwell. His television credits include The Sparticle Mystery and for short films, Lost Horizon and Napoleon’s Nose. The Buddha of Suburbia will mark his stage debut.
Rina Fatania plays Tracey/Jeeta/Marlene/Auntie Jean. Her theatre credits include Sheila’s Island, Anita & Me, The Tin Drum (UK tour), Dead Dog in a Suitcase (UK & International tours), NW Trilogy (Kiln Theatre), The Man In The White Suit (Wyndham’s Theatre), The Village, Love N Stuff (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Oliver Twist (Regents Park Open Air Theatre), Roller Diner (Soho Theatre), The Empress (Royal Shakespeare Company) and Dick Whittington (Hackney Empire). For television, credits include Wanderlust, People Just do Nothing; and for film, Little English and Raabta.
Natasha Jayetileke plays Jamila. Her theatre credits include Pandemonium (Soho Theatre), NW Trilogy (Kiln Theatre), Bend It Like Beckham (Phoenix Theatre) The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre), Eurobeat, Britain’s Got Bhangra and Mahabharata (UK tours), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (New London Theatre) and Wah! Wah! Girls (Peacock Theatre). For television, her credits include Beyond Boundaries and Hustle; and for film, Mistress of Spices.
Bettrys Jones plays Margaret/ Eleanor. Her theatre credits include A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story (Nottingham Playhouse), Yr Hogyn Pren (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), The Art Illusion (Hampstead Theatre), Red Ellen (Northern Stage), The Fir Tree, Hamlet, As You Like It, The Little Match Girl (Shakespeare’s Globe), Bagdad (The Old Vic), Wise Children (Wise Children/ The Old Vic), We Want you To Watch, Edward II, Warhorse (National Theatre) A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Comedy of Errors (Royal Shakespeare Company). For television, her credits include Midsomer Murders and Skins; and for film, Cyrano and Private Peaceful.
Simon Rivers plays Anwar/ Uncle Ted. His theatre credits include Falkland Sound, The Empress, (Royal Shakespeare Company), Glitterball, Pyar Actually (RIFCO Arts), My Beautiful Laundrette (Leicester Theatre), East is East (Northern Stage) and Wipers (UK tour). For television, his credits include Anansi Boys, Call the Midwife and Girlfriends; and for film, Where the Skin Lies and ID2: Shadwell Army.
Lucy Thackeray plays Eva. Her theatre credits include Brief Encounter (UK tour), Heroine (Hightide), A Midsummer Nights Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe), Bike, Fallen Angels (Salisbury Playhouse), My Beautiful Black Dog (Bush Theatre), Jonathan Harvey’s Corrie (International tour), Best of Soho Slam (Soho Theatre), Ladies Day, How the Other Half Loves, Noises Off and Sweeney Todd (Queen’s Hornchurch). For television, her credits include Black Ops, Top Boy, The Walk-In, The Dumping Ground and Don’t Forget the Driver; and for film, Moon Knight, A Royal Night Out and iboy.
Ewan Wardrop plays Matthew Pyke. His theatre credits include Bagdad Cafè, A Monster Calls, The American Clock (The Old Vic), Jane Eyre (Watermill Theatre), Formby, Rebecca, Enron, Treasure Island (UK tours), Much Ado About Nothing, 946 – The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Wind in the Willows (Vaudeville Theatre/ Duchess Theatre) and Beauty and The Beast (Royal Shakespeare Company). For film, his credits include Matthew Bourne’s Christmas and The Magic Flute.








