Belong
NT Connections 2027
I’m delighted to be a part of National Theatre NT Connections 2027.
When Grace returns to school after a prolonged absence, her friendship group is forced to confront the impact her return has on them all.
Maxine and the Machine
Love, freedom and humanity in the age of artificial intelligence.
Maxine, a leading human rights lawyer, is fighting a landmark case against AI replacing human workers when she falls for a much younger man – an Artificial Person designed for sex. As he begins questioning his own sentience, Maxine makes the radical decision to buy him, but the deeper she falls into the relationship, the harder it becomes to let him go, even though doing so risks everything she’s spent her life fighting for.
Rehearsed reading: The Old Diorama Arts Centre, 2026.
Director: Bob Eaton
My Big Fat Cowpat Wedding
A big-hearted comedy about cross-cultural love and rural life, with music and audience participation. Four actors play the bride, groom, and a host of colourful wedding guests. Following its successful rural touring productions, My Big Fat Cowpat Wedding was featured in a case study by Arts Council England.
Production: Kali Theatre, Black Country Touring & Arts Alive.
Touring: National Rural Tour in 2014 and 2016; Southbank Centre’s Alchemy Festival, London, 2015.
Director: Janet Steel and Steve Johnstone.
Reviews:
“The comedy is just so brilliant. Knowing that these stories are based on real events makes everything all the more hilarious.” – Tal Fox/ A Younger Theatre
“Highly entertaining” – Chris Eldon Lee, The Shropshire Review
The Predator
A 15-year-old schoolgirl visits her female music teacher’s family home one Sunday. Her presence, at first delightful, soon becomes disturbing. The Predator explores power, consent, and moral compromise in the aftermath of a teacher-pupil relationship.
Staged reading: Produced by BOLDtext Playwrights at The Door, Birmingham Rep.
Director: Janet Steel.
Awards: Shortlisted for the Terence Rattigan Award, longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize.
Further reading:
The Predator is discussed in Paedophilia and Child Sexual Abuse in Drama and Theatre by Daniel Meyer-Dinkgräfe and Amanda M. Young-Hauser.
Another Paradise
Sex, corruption and… identity cards. A contemporary comedy set in a near-future world where people are validated only by their digital ID in the National Identity Database. Five lives are thrown into confusion when their official identities vanish – with surprising and hilarious results.
This topical play took a witty, satirical look at a controversial government policy in 2008, and feels even more pertinent today.
Production: Kali Theatre, Edinburgh (2008), national tour (2009)
Director: Janet Steel
Awards: Nominated for the John Whiting Award
Reviews:
“Admirably slick… striking a fine balance between pointed wit and giddy surrealism. If nothing else, it proves there are worse things than being sent to Coventry – such as never coming back.” – Alfred Hickling, The Guardian
“Thoroughly enjoyable… a good piece of wacky English radicalism.” – Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
“Cutting-edge drama.” – Marion McMullen, Coventry Telegraph
“Quirky and thought-provoking.” – Amy Yorston, British Theatre Guide
Further reading:
A review essay of Another Paradise by Btihaj Ajana is published in the Journal of Identity in the Information Society.
Script available from: Bloomsbury Publishing or Amazon.
Stripey Honey is Very Yummy
A play for ages 5+ about honey collectors, fisher people, and the environment in the Sundarbans, India.
Production: Mashi Theatre, national tour, 2019
Director: Trina Haldar
Hecuba Birangona
The 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War triggered genocide, a huge refugee crisis, and the mass rape of women and girls. Hecuba Birangona draws on the myths of Hecuba and The Trojan Women to tell the story of five women held in a prison camp. They have survived the war – but as the Indian Army and freedom fighters approach, they must get through one final day. Hecuba Birangona was part of a season of War plays.
Staged reading: Produced by Kali Theatre, 2018, Tristan Bates Theatre
Director: Tessa Walker
Cast: 5 women, 1 man
Read an interview with writer Sayan Kent here
Tales of Birbal
A children’s play combining actors and puppetry, inspired by the Indian tales of Birbal and Akbar.
Production: Mashi Theatre, national tours 2015 & 2017
Director: Trina Haldar
Antigone’s Sister
Sophocles’ famous tragedy Antigone, retold from the perspective of Ismene, the sister left behind.
Originally written for Birmingham Rep’s Young Rep Company in 2011, following workshops exploring issues affecting young people’s lives. Among the issues raised was teenage suicide and its impact.
Subsequently performed by East 15 Acting School in 2025.
Director: Janet Steel
Endless Light
Amid environmental havoc and torn loyalties, an activist protests against an opencast coal mine on a sacred mountain. As tensions escalate, Chandra and the mine owner discover they share a secret they can no longer avoid. A gripping drama exploring sisterhood, climate justice, spiritual heritage, and the personal cost of resistance. Inspired by the women of Tagore.
Production: Kali Theatre at The Vault, Southwark Playhouse, 2012
Director: Elizabeth Freestone
Cast: Rebecca Grant, Manjeet Mann, Robert Mountford, Goldy Notay, Dharmesh Patel, Gary Pillai.
Review:
“Endless Light is remarkable” – Women’s Views on News
Invisible
Invisible was two plays. The first was a verbatim piece created from interviews with West Midlands female LGBT and BAME community members, performed at the Midlands Arts Centre as part of SHOUT Festival, 2010.
The second was a scripted response, developing three of the characters’ stories. It was performed at the Midlands Arts Centre in 2011.
Director: Hannah Phillips
Killing Wasps
Killing Wasps takes place in the infinitesimal moment before Jonah swats a wasp and kills her. A surreal, darkly comic exploration of life, death, war, and the moment that divides the two. Featuring torture, sex, drugs, and dark humour, the play drives a compelling narrative toward its final, inevitable outcome. A metaphor for war and arms dealing.
Production: Kali Theatre, Talkback Festival, Soho Theatre, 2006
Director: Shabina Aslam
Pantomimes
Aladdin
Co-written with Bob Eaton
Production: Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, 2002.
Director: Bob Eaton
Dick Whittington
Co-written with Bob Eaton
Production: Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, 2001.
Director: Bob Eaton
Mother Goose
Co-written with Bob Eaton
Production: Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, 2000.
Director: Bob Eaton