Wipers
A world premiere honouring the million South Asian soldiers of the First World War.
Dates
8 April – 21 May 2016 (Curve 8–23 April; Watford Palace 26 April – 7 May; Belgrade Coventry 12–21 May)
Venues
- Curve, Leicester
- Watford Palace Theatre
- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Writer
Ishy Din
October 1914, Ypres, Belgium. As a sole survivor on the battlefield holds off the advancing enemy, a group of South Asian and British soldiers seek refuge in an abandoned barn. Over the course of a single night, this group of men must confront their fears and find a way to come together if they are to survive. Inspired by the real-life story of Khudadad Khan – the first South Asian soldier to be awarded a Victoria Cross – this new play by Ishy Din honours the contribution of the million South Asian soldiers who fought alongside their British brothers during the First World War.
Cast
- Jassa Ahluwalia (Thomas)
- Waleed Akhtar (Ayub)
- Sartaj Garewal (A.D.)
- Simon Rivers (Sadiq)
Creative team
- Writer
- Ishy Din
- Director
- Suba Das
- Designer
- Isla Shaw
- Lighting Designer
- Prema Mehta
- Sound Designer
- Jon Nicholls
Press
-
When the men are forced to confront why they are here and how – as a group – they might go forward then Wipers, ably directed by Suba Das, becomes an altogether more arresting experience… when they step out into the light, your heart catches fire.
Andy Plaice — WhatsOnStage · ★★★★ -
A fine tribute to the Indian soldiers who fought and died for Britain in WW1.
The Telegraph · ★★★★ -
Ishy Din's quiet, elegiac play is based around one who survived… the play maintains a firm, queasy grip on your nerves.
The Telegraph · ★★★★ -
An absorbing new drama which – like all great war plays – is about camaraderie and fear.
Daily Mail · ★★★★
Production photography: Pamela Raith