7.30pm

'Shame on Sikh playwright for her corrupt imagination.'
Banner at a demonstration against Behzti

In December 2004, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti's controversial play Behzti rocked the world of theatre when it was sensationally cancelled after protests in Birmingham. The closure of the play sparked a vehement debate about offence and freedom of speech.

In Behud, a playwright attempts to make sense of the past by visiting the darkest corners of her imagination. Set amidst the theatre establishment, politicians and protesters, Behud is a playful response to the events surrounding Behzti, and the story of an artist struggling to be heard.

SPEECHLESS: THEATRE AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

17 & 26 April, 1 & 3 May

A series of FREE talks and debates, exploring freedom of expression in British theatre today. A collaboration between Soho Theatre, leading magazine Index on Censorship, English PEN and Free Word, the UK’s first centre for literature, literacy and free expression. Speakers include: Lisa Goldman, Julia Farrington (Head of Arts & Events, Index on Censorship), Jonathan Heawood (Director, English PEN) and Shreela Ghosh (FreeWord).

More details coming soon.