No longer booking
  • Venue Barbican Theatre, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 16 November 2024
  • Running time 2 hours 50 minutes (including interval)
  • Age guidelines 13+. This production contains scenes of an adult nature, including depictions of nudity and sexual acts, and swearing throughout.

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The Buddha of Suburbia is an irresistible, heart-breaking and joyful exploration of family, friends, sex, theatre and, ultimately, belonging.

Emma Rice adapts the award-winning 1990 novel The Buddha of Suburbia with Hanif Kureishi, in a major new co-production with Wise Children and the RSC.

Following an acclaimed season in Stratford-upon-Avon, the show is transferring to the Barbican Theatre this autumn for a strictly limited run.

The Buddha of Suburbia is playing at the Barbican Theatre in London from 22 October to 16 November 2025.

My name is Karim Amir, and I am an Englishman born and bred. Almost.

South London in the late seventies. High unemployment, high inflation, food shortages and strikes. But despite the winter of discontent, 17-year-old Karim’s life is about to explode into glorious technicolour as he navigates a path to enlightenment. Or at the very least, Beckenham.

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Performance Information

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Stars and Creatives

Ankur Bahl – British actor and writer
Ankur Bahl – British actor and writer

Who is in the cast of The Buddha of Suburbia?

Dee Ahluwalia as Karim, Ankur Bahl as Haroon, Tommy Belshaw as Charlie/Shadwell, Rina Fatania as Tracey/Jeeta/Marlene/Auntie Jean, Natasha Jayetileke as Jamila, Lucy Thackeray as Eva and Ewan Wardrop as Matthew Pyke. Simon Rivers as Changez, Katy Owen as Margaret/Eleanor, Naveed Khan as Anwar/Joanna, Deven Modha as Ensemble.

Who are the creative team of The Buddha of Suburbia?

Based on the novel by Hanif Kureishi
Adapted for the stage by Emma Rice, with Hanif Kureishi
Directed by Emma Rice

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; Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG

Venue Information

Barbican Theatre , Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

Nearest Tube or Train: Barbican (Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City)

Nearest Buses: (Beech Street) 76, 153; (City Road) 21, 43, 141, 205, 214, 271

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Critics' reviews of The Buddha of Suburbia

★★★★★ "Intoxicating five-star show" - The Times

★★★★★ "Feelgood entertainment" - The Telegraph

★★★★ "Exuberant... terrific performances, puppets and plenty of shagging" - Evening Standard

★★★★ "Joyous" - Financial Times

★★★★ "Loveable and cheeky" - The Guardian

★★★★ "Zesty and raucous" - The Stage

Also see: The Buddha of Suburbia Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

The Buddha of Suburbia is playing at the Barbican Theatre in London
The running time of The Buddha of Suburbia is 2 hours 50 minutes (including interval)
The age recommendations for The Buddha of Suburbia are: 13+. This production contains scenes of an adult nature, including depictions of nudity and sexual acts, and swearing throughout.
Yes, The Buddha of Suburbia has matinee performances on the following days: Tuesday, Saturday
No, sorry, The Buddha of Suburbia has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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