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When Pravesh Kumar MBE, founded Rifco Theatre Company 21 years ago, his vision was simple: "If no one else is willing to represent the stories and experiences of the British South Asian community, I will".
21 years later, the way representation looks on our stages has dramatically changed, and Rifco has been and continues to be a major part of this journey. The company has drawn from the vibrancy of the British South Asian community, who have in turn shown unwavering support for the work produced. This has provided opportunities to draw underrepresented artists and audiences together to create and enjoy relevant and accessible stories.
This project is a celebration of the enormous contribution that British South Asian creatives have made, and will continue to make, not just to the success of Rifco but to the UK theatre sector. Rifco will commission one artist for every year of our journey - playwrights, craft makers, lyricists, visual and spoken word artists – to create new work that celebrates Rifco’s 21st anniversary and gives voice to artists and the British South Asian experience.
As we look back on how far we have come, Rifco is incredibly excited to present proof that British South Asian artists are placed to lead the arts sector over the next 21 years.
Hafsah Aneela Bashir is a Manchester-based poet, playwright and performer originally from East London. Founder and co-director of Outside The Frame Arts, she is passionate about championing voices outside the mainstream. Winner of the Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellowship 2019, she is writer-in-residence with Manchester Literature Festival, Associate Artist with the Poetry Exchange, Associate Artist with Oldham Coliseum Theatre and Supported Artist at the Royal Exchange Theatre. She has worked creatively with Manchester International Festival, HOME, Ballet Black and ANU Productions.
The commission: Ede: Past and Present
Hafsah explains:"My commission will take the Muslim Festival of Eid from being celebrated intimately with family and friends privately, right into the heart of a public space by encouraging the local community to submit their stories.I’m keen to shine a light on how Eid celebrations, cultural practises and family dynamics have changed over the decades and contributed to the rich fabric of society we have today.
A gallery exhibition will explore both pre- and post-millennium traditional family photographs accompanied by a soundscape of community voices talking about the importance of Eid and what it means to them."
Where to view the commission:
The Eid Exhibition was exhibited Oldham Coliseum Theatre and the Kushi Festival until August 2022.
Yasmin Wilde is an actress and playwright of dual heritage (Pakistani/Austrian) and has been performing for over thirty years in British theatre and TV. As an actor she has been lucky enough to work with some of our best British Asian writers including Tanika Gupta and Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti and has performed at Watford Palace Theatre twice - once in Gupta’s version of A Country Wife and then in Kaur Bhatti’s one woman show Fourteen. Yasmin has always harboured a desire to write for the stage, and has a drawer at home full of ideas, plays and musicals in various states of completion. Yasmin was a 2020 – 2022 Rifco Associate.
The commission: Glitterball
Yasmin explains that Glitterball is a play with music, saying: “I wanted to tell the story of a very ordinary middle-aged woman, Sonia. She is haunted by her late mother, Gloria, finding strange solace in the Shirley Bassey numbers her mother loved to sing. My new play is a gentle comedy about finding your own voice”.
Where to view the commission:
Yasmin’s commission Glitterball will be touring this autumn - Watford Palace Theatre 15th - 24th September, Riverside Studios, London 27th September - 8th October and Oldham Coliseum Theatre 11th - 15th October.
Taqi Nazeer is a writer, performer, presenter and voice-over artist, who has worked extensively with theatre companies across Britain. He is also the creator, producer and presenter of the hit BBC Asian Network podcast Scotistan. Taqi Has previously worked with Rifco playing the character of Mahesh in the hit show The Deranged Marriage.
The commission: Rishta
Taqi says about his play: “Rishta is a satirical rom-com that is deliberately unapologetic in celebrating South Asian marriage culture in all its beauty, glory and flaws. At its core, it is about challenging misconceptions that being British and South Asian is mutually exclusive. Working with Rifco to craft the bold world of Rishta is a beautifully creative challenge. From day one, Pravesh and Ameet have been committed to not only developing Rishta, but to honing my professional practice as a playwright.”
Where to watch the commission:
You can watch a reading of his play Ristha on our youtube channel here.
Satinder is an award-winning playwright whose previous plays include Zameen, Made in India and Lotus Beauty, as well as various book-to-stage adaptations, are being produced across the UK and internationally.
The commission: Koh-i-Noor Trilogy
Satinder explains about her commission for a new play: “As a (British) Punjabi Sikh woman, I have long wanted to tell the compelling, oft-neglected story of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of Punjab and favourite of Queen Victoria, later nicknamed the ‘Black Prince of Perthshire’. But I wanted to connect Duleep’s story to the equally fascinating stories of two formidable women in his life: his mother Jindan Kaur (once Regent of the Sikh Empire) and his suffragette daughter Princess Sophia Duleep Singh.
Against the rise and fall of the British Empire in India, the Koh-i-Noor Trilogy will be an epic drama of family, exile and belonging, of stolen power, stolen identities and the coveted, cursed, Koh-i-Noor diamond, taken from the boy Maharaja along with his inherited kingdom of Punjab by the British.
The Koh-i-Noor Trilogy captures the spirited resistance of these three feisty figures, each separately fighting a controlling and oppressive British establishment, across generations and continents, bound by blood.”
Radhika Jani is a British-Indian writer-performer from North London and works as the Digital and Creative Learning Assistant at Jacksons Lane. As a writer, she’s enamoured by the coming-of-age narrative. She’s keen to tell these stories, especially with South Asian characters and diverse experiences.
The commission: Cornershop Love (Rifco Associate)
Naomi Joseph is a theatre-maker, actor and writer. Across her artistic practice she playfully explores how big feelings manifest in our everyday lives. The themes of her work have included mixed race identity, bereavement and exploring play in adulthood.
The commission: How Are You (Rifco Associate)
Sarah Isaac is a playwright who grew up in Yorkshire and now lives in London. She studied philosophy at King’s College London and was a member of the Royal Court’s writing group. She was part of Kali Theatre’s Discovery Programme and was a finalist for the Script Accelerator Course at the Park Theatre.
She has been longlisted twice for the Windsor Fringe Kenneth Branagh Award for new writing and in 2020 was long-listed for The Sultan Padamsee Playwriting Award. Recently, she was chosen to take part in ‘School of High Tide’ at High Tide Theatre.
The commission: The Good Shepherd (Rifco Associates)
Nafeesa Hamid is a writer, workshop facilitator, performer, and creative producer active since 2012. She was born in Pakistan, bred in Birmingham. Her debut poetry collection Besharam (2018, Verve Poetry Press) was highly commended for the Forward Prize 2020 and she is published in the Forward Book of Poetry 2020. Nafeesa has performed nationally and internationally; she was a guest for Jo Brand’s show on BBC Radio 4 Friday Night Comedy, as well as a BBC Edinburgh Fringe Slam finalist (2018).
She is published in The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write, a (2017, Saqi Books) anthology edited by Sabrina Mahfouz. Nafeesa is alumni of Mouthy Poets Collective (Nottingham), Hippodrome Young Poets (B’ham) and Derby Theatre Graduate Associates (Derby). Nafeesa was founder of Twisted Tongues Derby and Birmingham and co-founder of Gully Collective / Gully Zine; a collective focused on bringing together and showcasing South Asian artists from Brum and beyond.
The commission: Shop Uncle (Rifco Associate)
Guinder Maini recently returned to her interest in writing and acting having originally studied drama at college. After college, she moved away from the stage and enjoyed a diverse and enriching career including the charity sector, education, youth work and the civil service. She spent both her professional career and spare time working with prisoners, ex-offenders, rough sleepers, domestic violence victims, and people with substance dependency issues.
Her professional and life experiences have been the inspiration for her passion in writing about social justice matters. Often surrounding issues that can be difficult to approach and vocalise between the different generations in the South Asian community. Guinder hopes that her work will have a positive impact to encourage these discussions to take place.
The commission: Bobby (Rifco Associate)
Raxstar is a British Rapper who first came to prominence in 2005 with his producing partner Sunit. Their breakout single Keep It Undercover documented young love and the internal conflict when choosing between following your heart and going against parental expectations or conforming.
“This duality is an integral part of my identity as a British Asian. The culture I inherited and the one I was brought up in are worlds apart but there are millions like me who are also trying to figure it all out. Music is my creative outlet to explore that journey.”
This unique perspective allowed Raxstar to create songs like “Jaaneman” "Sun Raha" and "Ankhiyaan" drawing from the influences of Bollywood and the smooth R&B records he grew up with. The mixtapes Lost Ones (2008), Spring Cleaning (2010), About A Girl (2011) and Late On Time (2012) continued to showcase his work ethic, versatile subject matter and lyrical prowess. Seen as the go-to-guy for rap features, Raxstar has also collaborated with over 100 artists and this list continues to grow.
The commission: A Spoken Word Piece (Title TBC)
A celebration of 21 years of the British South Asian journey. Where we came from, how we persevered and ultimately excelled in so many fields. The nuances that make us unique. “I want to write something soulful, a little cheeky and poignant. A spoken word piece that may incorporate subtle musicality if it needs to”.
Where to view the commission:
Raxstar will be performing at Riverside Studios, London on 6th October 2022. Click here to find out more.
Rupi Lal trained at Rose Bruford College. As an actor his credits include two Rifco productions: Meri Christmas and The Deranged Marriage. Other credits include Tamasha Arts’ Strictly Dandia and BBC Asian Network’s radio drama Silver Street. Since 2007, he’s been working as an Actor / Facilitator for a theatre in education company based in Birmingham, Loudmouth Education & Training. In 2013, he co-formed a writing group, Cucumber Writers through which he’s produced over 10 productions.
As a writer his credits include his poem One, a 2015 international competition winner published in Inspired by Gandhi and in 2016, his comedy short Brummie Bat produced by the BBC.
The commission: The Quiet One (Rifco Associate)
Apinder Sahni’s writing journey started at school while studying A-Level English Literature. In December 2010, he created a blog and wrote his first piece for public consumption called Letting Go – The Father of the Bride.
He continues to write short stories and poems, however, five years ago he embarked on a journey to write his first novel, a non-fiction piece called The Amazing Road Trip Home – England to India with Strangers. He has two more fiction stories in the pipeline. In amongst all this and over the last few years, he has also been touring theatres across the country with his comedy duo as The Chucklesinghs.
The commission: Life is 4 and Half Metres (Rifco Associate)
Momtaz is a Colour Therapist and Author of the book Hello Rainbow Finding Happiness in Colour and Host of the weekly podcast Hello Colour.
She developed the colour philosophy Hello Hue® , a seven-point manifesto for how to welcome colour into your life so you can experience a greater sense of joy and satisfaction in every aspect of your life
The commission: A Palette of Possibilities
Taking inspiration from Rifco’s stories, costumes and show fliers over the last 21 years, Momtaz will create a celebratory colour palette that will be expressed through a commemorative textile artwork to be exhibited at Watford Palace Theatre that Rifco can keep as a legacy piece.
View the commission:
The piece will be displayed at Watford Palace Theatre in residence from October 2022.
Later this year, Momtaz will be running two arts and crafts workshops at the Watford Palace Theatre for families where public/local residents can get creative by making their own colourful Rifco-inspired crafts to keep.
Mahesh Parkar is a musician whose interest in writing has developed over the last 18 months. He has been a part of musical theatre projects at the Hackney Empire, such as the Artist Development Programme. He was also part of a theatre company which performed a modern rendition of Macbeth at the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
In September 2019, he took part in a project called the Writer’s Room, run by the Hackney Empire and Royal Court Theatre. He wrote a short monologue, and then developed this monologue into a short play. In May 2020, he became a Young Agitator at the Royal Court Theatre.
Amrit is an artist and art teacher. She has extensively studied art and held artist residencies here in the UK and abroad. Over the past five decades she has exhibited her works across the world, held workshops and worked on numerous commissions and projects.
The commission: What makes the ‘Perfect Bride’?
Amrit says about the Project: “The Perfect Bride is going to be raw-authentic – transparent – truthful – painful – therapeutic but most importantly inspiring and powerful. It will talk about these crushing expectations and unrealistic standards through my personal journey through childhood (already second hand goods), my two marriages, and finally my salvation and peace through my art and music.”
Where to view the commission:
Amrit's artwork will be on display at the 21 Artist for 21 Years exhibition at Riverside Studios, London this October. Find out more here.
Lucky Azad, as well as being an artist, is an emerging screenwriter and children's author. He created his first pamphlet of poetry self-published in India titled 'A Fickle Mind'. His first poetry pamphlet dealt with love, self-loathing and a struggle for identity. Soon after, Lucky wrote a further two short collections of poetry entitled 'Molten Words' and 'Conversation Poems'.
In 2014, Lucky Azad graduated with an MA in Writing for the Stage and Broadcast Media from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. After completing his MA, he went on to write a further seven short films and has to date, written 10 feature films all in different stages of development.
In January 2019, Lucky partnered with a talented director and producer, with whom he has formed a film production house called 'Spirits on the Scaffolds'. It has created 3 short films which are now screening in various film festivals across the UK and India. In 2019, Lucky self-published his debut childrens chapter book 'The Silver Hob-Nob in the Sky' and his debut childrens picture book 'The Bat with a Black and Yellow Hat'.
Writing and painting is Lucky Azad's vocation, in the Biblical sense of the word, he can't live without it. Well he could, but he'd be looking out of the window and concluding the concrete to be soft.
The Commission: Leave the Plastic On - Series 2
Amman co-wrote the second season of Leave the Plastic On. A digital series of satirical comedy ready for you to binge.
You can check out Season 1 and Season 2 here.
Vik Kainth is a Digital Illustrator from East London who is best known for reviving the elements of traditional Indian art alongside modern digital techniques. Vik aims to entice audiences with traditional art from the South Asian subcontinent which has been influenced by themes from Arabic, Mughal and Oriental culture. Aiming to modernise the art we know and love, into the digital era where the worlds eyes are on screens and social media. Upholding the authentic traditional beauty of South Asian arts are uniquely blended with new digital mediums.
The commission: GenerAsians - The Ugandan Expulsion
On Friday 4 August 1972, President Idi Amin ordered the expulsion of Uganda's Asian minority out of his country, giving them only 90 days to leave. To commemorate 50 years since this pivotal moment in history, Vik illustrated a series of short films. These are incredible, compelling and personal stories of people who were uprooted, for better or worse, and who paved the way for future generations.
Where to view the commission:
Between 14 August - 2 November 2022 to mirror the 90 days people were given to leave, Rifco will be releasing a series of short films. Three digital pieces of art by Vik will also be exhibited at Riverside Studios, London 3rd - 8th October 2022.
Amman has been specialising in screenwriting for the last few years, with a particular interest in drama and comedy. The meaning of writing changed for her when she realised it could be used as a tool to address important topics. She now tries to utilise her platform to tell the stories of unheard voices.
The Commission: Leave the Plastic On
Amman co-wrote the second season of Leave the Plastic On. A digital series of satirical comedy ready for you to binge.
Where to view the commission:
You can check out Series 2 here.
Nim is a presenter on BBC Asian Network every Saturday brunch. She's also currently on BBC Sounds podcast 'But Where Are You Really From?' & Warner Bros podcast 'Because You Watched'.
Theatre credits include: Hare & the Tortoise (Studio 3 Arts) What Fatima Did (Tamasha); Dracula (European Tour); The Care Project (Old Diorama); Beggar’s Opera (Old Theatre Royal, Bath); A Storm in a Chai Cup (Phizzical); 3am (Curve Theatre). Television credits include: Anna Man Ancestry (Sky)So Beano (Sky); Modern Horror Stories (Comedy Central); The Good Guys (BBC3) Strictly Come Dancing (BBC3); Man Like Mobeen (BBC3); Muzlamic (BBC3); Spy School (CITV); Comic Relief (BBC1); All together Now (BBC3); Quickies (BBC3); Host the Week (Channel 4); Revolting (BBC2). Film credits include: Firrke (Thug); Finding Fatima (Esplanade Vale Media); Arifa (Shono Productions Ltd); White (Apple Tree Movies); Descendants (Raymond Productions); Aminah (Williams Co); Aashiqui (Film Bazaar).
Further Credits: BBC Radio 4 -Alexei Sayle’s Absence of Normal; Academy of Joy; Newsjack; Dr. Who and Sketchtopia. Nim is also a stand up comedian.
The commission: Leave the Plastic On - Series 2
Nimisha co-wrote the second season of Leave the Plastic On. A digital series of satirical comedy ready for you to binge.
Where to view the commission:
Leave the Plastic On is now available online, click here to watch.
Harry Syed went from film school to directing music videos and along the journey he also had a music career producing remixes under the name Trailblazerz. His true love has always been comedy, having recently completed a pilot for a comedy series. ‘Push Back’, which he co-created, about a fictional creative agency in East London. His piece follows a young man in isolation attempting to re-create his mum’s signature dish.
The commission: Leave the Plastic On - Series 2
Harry co-wrote the second season of Leave the Plastic On. A digital series of satirical comedy ready for you to binge.
Where to view the commission:
You can check out series 2 here.
Andy is an Indian presenter and fashion icon as well as a core member of the creative team of Rifco Theatre Company for over a decade. He has performed in, choreographed and designed costumes for a number of productions including The Deranged Marriage, There’s Something About Simmy, It ain’t all Bollywood (World Performing Arts Festival Pakistan and Edinburgh festival 2008), Where’s my Desi Soulmate?, Britain’s Got Bhangra and Laila The Musical.
The Commission: Costume Exhibit
Andy will be exhibiting 21 costume and jewellery pieces from past Rifco Theatre productions, giving audiences a chance to take a closer look at the designs and workmanship of these unique stage items.
Where to view the commission:
The exhibition will be at Riverside Studios, London this October. Click here to find out more.