Preview: Santi & Naz at Newcastle Northern Stage

Against the backdrop of the partition of India, two best friends bound by love resist the forces that try to tear them apart     

Santi & Naz

Newcastle Northern Stage

Thursday 31 October 2024                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Written by Guleraana Mir and afshan d’souza-lodhi

Directed by Madelaine Moore

In 1945, two years before the partition of India, two young women – one Sikh, one Muslim – stand fast against circumstances that would separate them. 

Santi and Naz are best friends who only think about stealing books, swimming in the lake and spying on the local hottie. But as social unrest spreads and families and communities are torn apart, neither understands how their religions are set to divide them, having lived side-by-side all their lives. Then when Naz is betrothed to a tailor in Rawalpindi and her feelings for Santi become complex and confusing, the girls reach cross-roads with terrible consequence. Santi & Naz contributes to a conversation about postcolonial legacy whilst giving a fresh perspective on female friendship, coming of age and coming out. 

Santi & Naz shows the years just before the partition of India which was set in motion by the dissolution of the British Raj and split the country into Hindu and Sikh-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan, displacing over ten million people and leaving over one million dead. It has been described as the greatest humanitarian crisis of modern times, and the effects of the division can still be felt today. The show premiered at VAULT Festival in 2020 and played at the Pleasance at Edinburgh Festival Fringe after winning the Charlie Hartill Fund in 2023.

Writer Guleraana Mir said, “Santi & Naz is full of joyous moments, playfully shining a light on a moment in time that is actually a major part of British history; one that is rarely seen on stage or taught in schools. The play speaks to anyone who’s ever felt like they have no control over what’s happening to them in the world. It’s for friends and lovers, families and history buffs, and for those who know little about the Partition of India, but would like to.”

The Thelmas is a female-led touring company who explore the social, political and cultural stories that matter, in a fresh and surprising way. They are led by director Madelaine Moore, whose productions include Santi & Naz, Ladykiller and Algorithms, and writer Guleraana Mir, whose work includes Santi & Naz, Coconut and Doctors (BBC One). Santi & Naz is a collaboration with writer afshan d’souza-lodhi (Hijabi (r)evolutions/It’s not about the Burqa), has music by Tom Penn and has been made in consultation with Eleanor Newbigin, Senior Lecturer in the history of modern South Asia at SOAS, University of London. The Thelmas celebrate their 10th anniversary in August 2024.

Creatives:

Written by Guleraana Mir and afshan d’souza-lodhi

Story concept by Guleraana Mir and Madelaine Moore 

Directed by Madelaine Moore

Associate director Vikesh Godhwani

Produced by TheThelmas

General manager Courtenay Johnson

Designed by Sascha Gilmour

Movement director Rakhee Sharma

Composer and sound design by Tom Penn

Lighting design by TBC

On The Web:

Twitter: @TheThelmas

Instagram @TheThelmas

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheThelmasUK/ 

TikTok @TheThelmas

#SantiAndNaz

Tickets:

31 October at Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7.30pm

https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/santi-naz/ 

Box office: 0191 230 5151

Running Time: 70 mins 

Suitable for ages 12+ (themes of violence)