Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti's BEHUD Plays the Belgrade Theatre

Lisa Goldman will direct Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti's new play Behud in a co-production with the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Soho Theatre, London. In this world premiere, award-winning playwright Bhatti carves a dramatic narrative from behind the scenes of her controversial play Behzti.

The full cast includes Lucy Briers, Priyanga Burford, Ravin J Ganatra, Shiv Grewal, John Hodgkinson, Chetna Pandya and Avin Shah.

In December 2004, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti's play Behzti rocked the world of theatre when it was sensationally cancelled after protests in Birmingham, forcing the playwright into hiding. The closure of the play sparked a vehement debate about offence and freedom of speech.

In Behud, a playwright attempts to make sense of the past by visiting the darkest corners of her imagination. Set amidst the theatre establishment, politicians and protesters, Behud is a playful and provocative response to the events surrounding Behzti, and the compelling story of an artist struggling to be heard.

In 2005 Behzti won the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for the best English language play written by a woman. Following the controversy, the play was translated into French as part of a project with the National Theatre in 2006 and toured a sell-out run in both France and Belgium. 

Behud will play the BELGRADE THEATRE from 27 March to 10 April. The Belgrade Theatre is located in Belgrade Square, Coventry CV1 1GS. Performances are scheduled for Monday - Saturday 8pm, matinees - Weds 7 April, Sats 3 & 10 April, 2.45pm. For more information visit www.belgrade.co.uk or call 024 7655 3055.

Behud will play the SOHO THEATRE from 13 April to 8 May. The Soho Theatre is located at 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE. Performances are scheduled for Monday - Saturday 7.30pm.
For more information visit www.sohotheatre.com.

Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti's writing credits for theatre include Behzti which won the Susan Smith Blackburn award, Behsharam(Soho Theatre and Birmingham Rep), Londonee (Stratford East), Airport 2000 - Asians in Transit (Leicester Haymarket/Riverside Studios). Her television credits include Honour (BBC 2), Stitched Up (BBC); Eastenders (BBC), Lipstick and Nails (Channel 4) and Dead Meat (Channel 4).

Behud will be the last play to be directed by Lisa Goldman as Artistic Director of Soho Theatre.

Behud is presented as the David Aukin Commission in recognition of his continuing contribution to the Soho Theatre on the 10th Anniversary of its Dean Street Home.

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