Belgrade Theatre to Mark 70 Years of Partition Between India and Pakistan with PINK SARI REVOLUTION

To mark 70 years of partition between India and Pakistan, the Belgrade Theatre is delighted to be bringing a new adaptation of Pink Sari Revolution to the stage this October.

This true story based on the book by internationally renowned journalist Amana Fontanella-Khan will be presented as part of UK/India 2017, a year-long celebration to mark India's 70 years of independence and showcase British and Indian creativity.

Pink Sari Revolution will be created by a team of award-winning Indian and British Asian artists including Director Suba Das and Playwright Purva Naresh, and produced by the Belgrade Theatre in collaboration with Curve Theatre Leicester and West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Fusing together drama, music and movement, Pink Sari Revolution is a true story based on the book by internationally renowned journalist Amana Fontanella-Khan and meetings with Sampat Pal.

The production has been produced following an extensive period of research and development both in Leicester and in India, enabled by Arts Council England as part of its Reimagine India funding programme.

In the "Badlands" of Uttar Pradesh, where violence against women can be traced back into Indian mythology, one woman has raised an army to say "no more." She is Sampat Pal, the formidable and fearless leader of the Gulabi Gang, a movement of over 400,000 women fighting for their rights in a uniform of blazing pink saris.

One winter's day, Sampat learns of Sheelu Nishad, a young girl thrown into prison in the dead of night. As Sampat investigates, a chain of events is set in motion that reveals the real cost of making a stand.

Playwright, Purva Naresh said, "It is incredible for a playwright to tell the story of someone as extraordinary, complex and divisive as Sampat Pal. As a woman even more so. I am thankful to Curve, Suba Das and Amana Fontanella-Khan for making it possible for a young, international team to put this living icon on stage."

This will be director Suba Das's second production for the Belgrade Theatre, following Wipers in 2016 which honoured the contribution of the million South Asian soldiers who fought alongside their British brothers during the First World War.

Pink Sari Revolution runs at the Belgrade Theatre from Weds 11 to Sat 21 October. Tickets are available now priced from £13 by calling the Belgrade Box Office team on 024 7655 3055 or visit www.belgrade.co.uk.