Shakespeare in Urdu comes to Rotherham

Theatre Wallay and KASHF Foundation will be performing an Urdu version of The Taming of the Shrew at the Old Market Gallery and Clifton Park Walled Courtyard.

Starring in the production is Lahore screen and stage star Nadia Jamil, as Katherine, and will be directed by the up-and-coming Haissam Hussein.

The production, which is rich in colour and energy, explores the difficulties encountered by modern-day Pakistani women.

With singers and musicians, a thrilling bhangra jig rounds off this uplifting version of the first romcom.

The music, colours and speech of Lahore, a great bustling metropolis of south Asiawill infuse this production of Shakespeare’s comedy.

Led by some of Pakistan’s most respected creative minds, it promises to be an uproar of passion, fury and love, performed in one of the UK’s most prevalent languages.

South Yorkshire is known to have a high proportion of Urdu speakers, so to accompany their performance, Theatre Wallay will run an interactive workshop on May 28, at Sitwell Primary School and May 31, at Clifton Performing Arts School.

The activity will focus on drama, body language, dance and music, with a chance for students to get involved alongside cast members.

Theatre Wallay is Pakistan’s representation at the “Globe to Globe” festival as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad and World Shakespeare Festival.

The theatre company is a prestigious group whose members come from a wide variety of religious, social, economic and academic backgrounds.

The group hopes to address stereotypical views of Pakistan and to build charitable, educational and cultural links across several communities in the UK.

The group is an eclectic mix of household Pakistani names. Nadia Jamil as the leading lady has a large fan-base in Lahore as a TV personality as well as an actress and has appeared in critically acclaimed hits such as Meray Pass Pass and Beauty Parlour.

Omair Rana who plays the male lead Petruchio has also frequently been in film and television hits such as the popular Teen bata Teen.

The play is directed by Haissam Hussein who has a wealth of experience directing Pakistani film and television ranging from TV drama serial Chaudween Ka Chand to telefilms such as Noor Pur Ki Rani.

The show plays Rotherham on Tuesday, May 29, at the Old Market Gallery, at 7pm, and Thursday, May 31, at 2pm in Clifton Park Walled Courtyard.

Tickets start at £5 with a concession price at £3.

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