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The Father and the Assassin

by Anupama Chandrasekhar

A photo-montage of a figure of a young man standing, arms by his side, hands balled into fists, and behind him a large profile of Gandhi, with both heads looking off to the right.

Booking and details

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This production played in the Olivier Theatre from 8 September to 14 October 2023.

Mahatma Gandhi: lawyer, champion of non-violence, beloved leader.

Nathuram Godse: journalist, nationalist – and the man who murdered Gandhi.

This gripping play traces Godse’s life over 30 years during India’s fight for independence: from a devout follower of Gandhi, through to his radicalisation and their tragic final encounter in Delhi in 1948.

Director Indhu Rubasingham (Kerry Jackson, The Great Wave) reunites with Anupama Chandrasekhar, one of India’s most exciting playwrights, for this essential exploration of oppression and extremism, featuring Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) as Nathuram Godse with Paul Bazely (Cruella) as Mahatma Gandhi.

Performed 8 September — 14 October 2023 in the Olivier Theatre.

Reviews

Broadway World review for The Father and the Assassin

★★★★★

‘A must-watch’

Broadway World

★★★★★

‘What a stirring moment at the National.
An extraordinary production.’

Observer

★★★★★

‘Brilliantly entertaining. A production that has magic to spare.’

Time Out

7 Reviews

Video

A photo potrait of the head and shoulders of a man, staring straight to camera, expressionless, wearing a dark vest.
Play Video

‘It’s about time you know who I am.’

Indhu Rubasingham, Anupama Chandrasekhar and Rajha Shakiry sitiing on chairs on a temporary stage, talking to each other.
Play Video

Could India have been different had Gandhi lived?

Two men face the camera signing in American Sign Language.
Play Video

In rehearsals

Gallery

Open Gallery Dialog: 11 images A man with blood on his shirt stands with a group of people behind him.
A man with blood on his shirt stands with a group of people behind him.
A man with blood on his shirt stands with a group of people behind him.
View 11 images
A man points whilst talking to another man. A group of people stand behind them. A man stands with two men running towards him in the distance. A woman stands with a hand to her chest. A man stands, staring into the distance. Two women and two men stand in conversation. Two men sit. One man is gesturing toward the other. Two young men stand behind a prison gate. A man sits on a bench with his arms out. A woman stands mid-speech, with group of people walking in the distance behind her. A man sits cross-legged at a sewing machine.

Production images

Open Gallery Dialog: 14 images A man in a pink T-shit and glasses stands, looking into the distance.
A man in a pink T-shit and glasses stands, looking into the distance.
A man in a pink T-shit and glasses stands, looking into the distance.
View 14 images
A man wearing a blue long-sleeved T-shirt and grey shorts stands with a walking stick in hand. Behind him are a group of men and women with their arms stretched out. A woman wearing a beige cardigan and black T-shirt is sitting, with her head perched on her hand. A man wearing a white shirt and a woman wearing a black shirt are laughing. Two women and two men sit around a table in conversation. Three men wearing T-shirts stand in a row. A man and woman are sitting, smiling. The man is clapping. A woman and two men stand, smiling. Two men stand facing each other. One is gesturing with his hand towards the other as they speak. Two men stand next to each other smiling and with arms around each other's shoulders. A man wearing a blue and white checked shirt and red trousers is sitting down, laughing. A man wearing a purple T-shirt folds his arms whilst speaking to another man in a yellow T-shirt. A woman in a pink T-shirt stands with a script in hand. A group of men and women stand in a line, staring into the distance.

In rehearsal

Suitability

Please note: This production features gunshots, descriptions of extreme violence and themes that some may find distressing, including religious discrimination.

Supporters

This play is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Plays Award.

This production is supported by the Red Butterfly Foundation.

Cast

Hiran Abeysekera
Hiran Abeysekera photo portrait

Hiran Abeysekera

Nathuram Godse

Azan Ahmed
Azan Ahmed photo portrait

Azan Ahmed

Daulat / British Policeman / Understudy Jinnah / Apte

Ravi Aujla
Ravi Aujla

Ravi Aujla

Baba

Paul Bazely
Paul Bazely photo portrait

Paul Bazely

Mohandas Gandhi

Production team

Writer

Anupama Chandrasekhar

Anupama Chandrasekhar

Director

Indhu Rubasingham

Indhu Rubasingham

Set and Costume Designer

Rajha Shakiry

Rajha Shakiry

Lighting Designer

Oliver Fenwick

Oliver Fenwick

Movement Director

Lucy Cullingford

Lucy Cullingford

Composer

Siddhartha Khosla

Siddhartha Khosla

Additional Music

David Shrubsole

David Shrubsole

Sound Designer

Alexander Caplen

Alexander Caplen

Fight Director

Kate Waters

Kate Waters

Casting Director

Alastair Coomer CDG

Alastair Coomer CDG

Dialect Coach

Shereen Ibrahim

Shereen Ibrahim

Company Voice Work

Jeannette Nelson

Jeannette Nelson

Associate Set and Costume Designer

Khadija Raza

Khadija Raza

Staff Director

John Young

John Young

Dramaturg

Emily McLaughlin

Emily McLaughlin

 

 

Photography by Simon Sorted. Background artwork photography by Prarthna Singh