You’re kidnapped by terrorists and the only way out is to raise your own ransom money – by beating the stock market. When American banker Nick Bright is captured by an Islamic militant group in Pakistan, his prospects are grim. Mistaken for his boss, he holds little strategic value, and no one is coming to negotiate his release. Alone in his cell, Nick has two assets that just might save him: his sharp mind and a deep understanding of global finance. In a desperate attempt, he offers to raise his own ransom money – all $10 million – by manipulating the market. The Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar (THE WHO AND THE WHAT) has done it again: THE INVISIBLE HAND is an intelligently layered play that probes the intersection of human survival, capitalism, and geopolitics. Drawing its title from the famous concept coined by Scottish philosopher Adam Smith, the play gives theatrical form to the invisible forces that shape global economics – and leaves the audience pondering a haunting question: Are we prisoners of the system of our own making?
Cast and Creative team for The Invisible Hand by Ayad Akhtar at The English Theatre of Hamburg
Cast
Lee White
Nick
Lee trained at Arts Educational and East 15 (BA Hons Drama). His work in UK and European theatres has seen him tour extensively and win the occasional award. Theatre roles include The Aviator in THE LITTLE PRINCE (Tour with Lyngo), Ivy AFTER THE RAIN (UK tour Sabotage), Roland Maule PRESENT LAUGHTER (Jersey Arts Centre), Robinson Crusoe ROBINSON AND FRIDAY (Teatro Gioco Vita), Mr Sea SUNSHINE (Lyric Hammersmith/Theatre 503), Arlecchino HAZARDS OF LOVE (Cockpit Theatre), Mr Green SNOW PLAY (Theatre by the Lake), Petruchio ROYAL FLUSH (Spanish Tour), Francisco Di Medici THE WHITE DEVIL (Tristan Bates), William Mulcahy 189 PIECES (British Museum), Mr Hazell DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD (Brentwood Theatre), Bottom A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Chelsea Theatre), Bob Cratchett A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Greenwich Theatre), and James LUNATICS (Pleasance Theatre).
Lee has been seen on TV and film including EASTENDERS, THE BILL, DANGEROUS LIAISONS, and EXTRAS. This is Lee’s first season with The English Theatre of Hamburg and he is thrilled to have been invited. He is also a master practitioner of Commedia dell arte, a mask maker, puppeteer and writer.
Aliyaan Asif
Dar
Aliyaan recently graduated from Rose Bruford North in 2024. He made his professional debut with the 53twotheatre company, with their show BEAR LEFT. Aliyaan’s theatre credits while training include: BREATHING CORPSES, MAKE YOUR MARK, MERCHANT OF VENICE, LOCKDOWN, NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL, X+Y and THE TEMPEST.
Ismail Khan
Bashir
Versatile actor Ismail Khan brings depth and nuance to every role. With a background in Stage and Screen Acting from The University Of Chichester, he’s worked with esteemed directors and teachers. Notable performances include William Shakespeare’s HAMLET and Bobby Brook’s BLOODY WIMMIN. Khan has also created solo and collective theatre pieces, including the acclaimed solo performance RING OF REMEMBRANCE. As a creative thinker, he’s explored the intersection of politics and performance in his writing, including an analysis of neoliberalism in Christopher Nolan’s THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) and Todd Phillips’ JOKER (2019). With a strong foundation in classical and contemporary theatre, Khan delivers compelling performances on stage and screen.
Rohit Gokani
Imam Saleem
Rohit trained at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has worked extensively –In theatre, Television and Radio – throughout the UK and overseas. Recent Roles include the waiter in THE PLAZA SUITE (Savoy Theatre London) Gerry in ROAD (Northern Stage).
Other theatre roles speaking role of Puck (understudying) in MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (English National Opera), Manoj and seventeen other characters in the two hander THE CHEF SHOW (Ragged Edge Productions).
Film credits include Gandhi in the upcoming Welsh film, Choudhry in IC9. Radio work includes many roles for SLIVER STREET (BBC Asian Network), and DI Whitley in FATHER GILBERT MYSTERIES (Radio Theatre Original USA).
Creative Team
Clifford Dean
Direction
Mathias Wardeck
Set Design
Patricia Royo
Costumes
Heiko Böttner
Lighting & Sound Technician
Carina Rieper
Deputy Technician
Paul Glaser
Music
Rebecca Delmas
Stage Manager & Props
Barbara Tartaglia
Deputy Stage Manager
Renè Ahnert
Set Design Assinstance
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