Ahsan Khan, Rasheeda Ali and Adnan Jaffar to Star in ISHQ at Sadler's Wells

Ahsan Khan (Udaari, Mausam, Dastaan, Hum TV) and Rasheeda Ali (Anita and Me, Theatre Royal Stratford East; Crossing the Border, Channel 4) will take on the roles of love interests Ranjha and Heer alongside Adnan Jaffar (Jalaibee; Manto; Karachi: The Musical) who will play villain Kaido in new multicultural Sufi musical ISHQ at Sadler's Wells this September.

Performed in English, this world premiere will feature specially commissioned music and choreography from across Pakistan and the UK. It is the love story that shook a patriarchal society, putting the empowerment of women centre stage.

ISHQ tells the tale of two lovers and their feuding families and holds the same place in Punjabi literature as Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. This exciting musical spectacle will feature a combination of classical and modern dance with a unique blend of poetry and fusion music.

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Punjab, ISHQ is a collaboration between Pakistani and British artists which will celebrate unity, diversity and Pakistani culture within the UK.

SERENDIP's Managing Director and the Producer and Production Designer of ISHQ, Huma Beg comments, All of us are extremely excited that after months and months of searching, auditions and prayers that we have found the trio to launch ISHQ along with a fabulous supporting cast that will bring the lyrics and dialogues of Heer, Ranjha and Kaido alive for an English audience.

Tickets are available priced from £20. Available from www.sadlerswells.com and 020 7863 8000.