The Playwrights Database
SHAN KHAN
Nationality: n/aemail: n/a Website: n/a
Literary Agent: The Agency (London) Ltd
Shan Khan won the Verity Bargate award in 2000, for his stage play Office, which received its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival 2001,before transferring to the Soho Theatre London and Teatro Belli Rome. In 2003 he as BaFTa nominated for the short film Candy Bar Kid which he wrote and directed. He has written various dramas and films for television, has recently completed his second short film, Shop Window and is shooting his first feature film; he is also writing the libretto for Gaddafi the Opera, for English National Opera, with music by asian Dub Foundation.
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below is a list of Shan Khan's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Cleanskins Gaddafi Heer Ranjha (Retold) Office Prayer RoomCleanskins
Synopsis:
The play unfolds in a room in a public housing unit in a small town in England where a woman named Dottie lives with her son, Sonny. Heather, Dotties daughter who disappeared after becoming a drug addict, unexpectedly returns home and reveals that she has become a Muslim. Sonny participates in anti-Islam demonstrations, and he harshly presses his sister about why she converted. Heather stares at her younger brother and speaks quietly, responding to him with few words. Gradually their conversation turns to the subject of their father who abandoned them. Hearing this discussion, Dottie becomes emotional in front of her children. In the end, the real reason why their father left becomes clear.
Notes:
n Answer to your question - "What do I feel About embarking on this project now ?" I can say this -In the first instance, I was gently surprised but deeply honoured to have been Asked to write A play for the New National Theatre Tokyo. For my own part, I Am very happy that Mr Kuriyama And Mr Nakajima And everyone At the New National Theatre was Able to recognise the universal themes in my work. I think it says A lot for Japanese. Theatre, that they Are Actually And Actively seeking knowledge And understanding of events And cultures that may be beyond their own physical borders, but certainly not beyond Affecting them, in A global sense. Even so, I did still wonder what the New National Theatre Tokyo would want with A bald-asian, with A Glaswegian Accent, living in London. But then I guess I Answered my own question - it seems that the universal themes we Are both obviously drawn to is the ever evolving And expanding Urban Multicultural / Multi-Faith Society. When thinking About Japanese culture, in relation to writing this project, I was A little embarrassed to Admit to myself that I was not sure which religion, if Any, was prevalent in Modern Japan. Likewise when I Asked many of my Western friends what they supposed the main religion of Japan was, they too were A tad baffled - most offering Christian, which I do not believe is the case. Even A look on the internet does not fully Answer the question - many sites offering that religion is not really practised in Japan ! Others suggesting that where there is religion, it is Shintoism And Buddhism that Are most prevalent. For me, being brought up A 2nd-Generation Muslim in Britain, religion has Always been A big part of my life - whether rebelling Against it, wrestling with it, or embracing it. Religion And Family - these were Always the two that caused sleepless nights ! But Also growing up in Britain, Attending mainly 'Western' schools And having mainly 'Western' friends And leading A mainly 'Western' social life, it has become Apparent to Anyone that cares to Admit it - religion has no place in Britain Anymore. Well Actually let me correct myself - the indigenous religion of Britain, Christianity - has no place left to exist. Any Church that has not been transformed into A pub, restaurant, or designer-apartment, is barely clinging to it's congregation. The People Are becoming starved of Spirituality. This is A pattern repeating itself All through the 'Developed World'. Either religion is fading completely or At the other extreme, it is becoming more fundamental, in order to survive. These Are universal themes, that will resonate just As loudly in London, As they would in Tokyo. Afterall, the world is getting smaller everyday - so we might As well get to know each other properly. I Am very excited And feel deeply privileged to be Able to create A new piece of work for the New National Theatre Tokyo. I very much look forward to coming to Japan, seeing the Theatre first-hand, meeting the people And experiencing A great new culture for the first time, but certainly not the last time. God willing. - Shan Khan
1st Produced:
The Pit, National Theatre, Tokyo 21 Apr 2007
Organisations:
International Playwriting Season
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageGaddafi
Synopsis:
Gaddafi is an examination of the creation of a myth. Through the story of a man of humble origin, born into a Bedouin tribe, who became a powerful and influential political leader, the opera examines the volatile relationship between the Middle East and the West and explores international politics and their representation to provide the libretto.
Notes:
lyrics Shan Khan (asian Dub Foundation); music by Steve Chandra Savale
1st Produced:
Organisations:
English National Opera
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Opera
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageHeer Ranjha (Retold)
Synopsis:
present day adaption of the classic tale pulls the two lovers, Ranjha, a Muslim, and Heer, a Sikh, starkly onto the streets of Glasgow. The ensuing drama follows the love and tragedy of the young couple as they try to escape a web of social and cultural prejudices. Heer Ranjha, a gritty updating of a classic asian folk tale, relocates it from the fields of the Punjab to the streets of Pollokshields and takes a sharp look at intercommunal relations. It tells the story of Ranjha, a poor Muslim restaurant worker, who is pulled out of the Clyde by a boatful of partygoers; he looks up and sees Heer, the fast-living daughter of a Glasgow Currry King, and a Sikh. Love, intrigue and tragedy swiftly follow.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Glasgow: Tramway Theatre, Scotland, EUR >>> 21 Nov 2008
Organisations:
ankur Productions
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
tale
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 4 Other: dancers
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageOffice
Two inner-city callboxes serve as the makeshift trading post for Sharky and Showtime, two streetwise drug-dealers who, as part of a tight crime 'family', answer to the absent kingpin, Papa. When the opportunity to skim on a deal arises, Sharky and Showtime are drawn into a subtle game of wits that will test their status and their loyalties, both to the Family and each other. a sharp, funny drama, with darkness at its heart.
Notes:
Office was the winner of the Verity Bargate Award 2000. Office is A Soho Theatre production which premiered At the Lyceum As part of the Edinburgh International Festival And transferred to the Soho Theatre, London, in 2001.
1st Produced:
Organisations:
in ass with Edinburgh International Festival
1st Published:
Faber and Faber (20 aug 2001) 978-0571212415
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Dark Comedy Comedy
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PagePrayer Room
There was a place, where the Christians and the Muslims existed in relative peace. Everyone was more or less happy, except for the Jews - who were few and had to be thankful to their Christian overlords for the little space they were accorded. Then one day more Jews came, and it soon became apparent to them that they'd need their own space. So they got their own space - but at the Muslims' expense. The Muslims of course are fuming. The Jews feel they're perfectly within their rights. and the Christians are trying to take a back-seat and let the other two share the blame. This place is a multi-faith Prayer Room in a British college.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Organisations:
Birmingham Rep Theatre Company and Edinburgh International Festival
1st Published:
Faber and Faber (1 Sep 2005) 978-0571231072
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 7 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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