“What happens after the play is the point of the play”
As part of our ongoing commitment to finding ways for theatre to have impact beyond the confines of a space and to engage with the context we make work with, we created Gateways. Gateways is a series of talks, commissions, and curated events that offer audiences opportunities to learn more about our work, our artists, and how our productions relate to the wider world.
Alongside ‘Wish You Were Here’, our Gateways offerings respond to the themes of the play, the politics of Iran and feminism and platform new writing from three Iranian female playwrights.
These include:
- Q&A with cast and creatives about the theatre-making process hosted by Creative Associate Atri Banerjee
- Pre-show playlets, a chance to experience flashes of brand new work commissioned around the production
- A collaboration with artists and companies. Independent artists and smaller companies supported by the Gate to present their work alongside our productions.
PLAYLETS
Three British-Iranian playwrights have been commissioned to write short plays in response to our mission of telling stories from beyond borders. We are so excited to celebrate the unique voices and originality of Jasmin Mandi-Ghomi, Afsaneh Gray and Melina Namdar. Playlets are included as part of your ticket to Wish You Were Here.
Jasmin Mandi-Ghomi – 8th November
maids
Donya is trying to plan a Hen Do for her best friend. She knows her better than anyone else in the world and this Hen Do is going to be absolutely perfect. That is, until the other bridesmaids start getting involved.
Melina Namdar – 15th November
Between Beats and Hearts
In the pulsating heart of an illegal underground rave in Iran, a young woman grapples with the oppressive weight of societal norms and the intoxicating allure of forbidden love, risking everything for a chance at true connection.
Afsaneh Gray – 22nd November
The Veil
A British-Iranian make-up artist working in a newsroom finds herself called on to translate an interview by a woman who looks just like her – but speaks a language she can’t understand. She is forced to confront the no man’s land she has been left in because of her father’s traumatic relationship with the country of his birth.
Panel discussions
A series of post-show talks exploring responses to Wish You Were Here and the context within which we are choosing to produce this play.
Thursday 31st October
Guests panelists – Brenda Hale & Ramita Navai
Brenda Hale is a British judge and former president of the Supreme Court of the UK.
Ramita Navai is an Emmy award winning journalist, documentary maker and author.
Wednesday 13th November
Guests panelists – Roxy Rezvany & Tara Aghdashloo
Roxy Rezvany is a British Iranian filmmaker. This discussion will include a showing of Roxy’s short film commissioned for Vogue: Women, Life, Freedom.
Tara Aghdashloo is an Iranian writer and director. This discussion will include a short sharing of her film, EMPTY YOUR POCKETS @emptyourpocketsfilm.
Wednesday 20th November
Guests panelists – Ana Diamond, Sahar Zand & Christina Lamb
Ana Diamond is an Iranian political commentator, human rights advocate and former hostage of the Iranian regime.
Sahar Zand is a British Iranian reporter and documentarian.
Christina Lamb is a Leading foreign correspondent and bestselling author.
Sunday sessions
Throughout the run of ‘Wish You Were Here‘, we’re welcoming companies into Theatro Technis to share space with us and host evenings of arts, music and sharing.