The Father and the Assassin returns to the National Theatre with 2022 Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera in the role of Nathuram Godse with Paul Bazely reprising his role as Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi: lawyer, champion of non-violence, beloved leader. Nathuram Godse: journalist, nationalist – and the man who murdered Gandhi.
This gripping play by Anupama Chandrasekhar traces 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.
The 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).
Anupama Chandrasekhar is an Indian playwright and screenwriter based in Chennai. The Father and the Assassin, was nominated for the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for Best Play (2022) and was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize (2023).
Director Indhu Rubasingham reunites with writer Anupama Chandrasekhar for this essential exploration of oppression and extremism.
National Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX from 8 September – 14 October 2023. Times: Monday – Saturday at 730pm / Wednesday & Saturday at 2pm.
Booking and additional events: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
