Arian Nik has joined the cast of Want the Moon Theatre’s revival of Mike Bartlett’s An Intervention, which opens at Riverside Studios in January 2027.
Twelve years after its premiere in Watford, Bartlett’s two-hander returns in a new production directed by Adam Karim. The play explores friendship, political responsibility and the personal consequences of opposing views on Western intervention in the Arab world following the events of 2003.
Want the Moon Theatre’s revival re-examines the play through the lens of Global Majority characters, bringing a fresh perspective to its themes of personal and political culpability.
Nik’s stage credits include leading roles in the Olivier Award-nominated Blue Mist at the Royal Court Theatre, Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan at Brixton House and most recently Speed at the Bush Theatre.
His screen work includes The Split Up, Film Club and Daddy Issues for the BBC, Count Abdulla and Passenger for ITV, and Channel 4’s It Gets Worse. He is also currently filming Danger Money for Amazon Prime Video alongside Ray Winstone and Alex Kingston.
Arian Nik said: “Given the global political climate we find ourselves in, Bartlett’s sharp commentary on Western intervention in the Middle East feels more timely than ever. I’m incredibly excited to bring this play to life through a lens that hasn’t been explored before.”
Director Adam Karim said: “This revival couldn’t be more timely as once again Western interventions in the ‘Middle East’ throw the world into jeopardy.
“Reviving Mike’s play not only reveals its grimly prophetic nature, but is remarkable because it tackles these huge events through a very human experience. It anticipates both cancel culture and the culture wars we find ourselves amidst.
“I don’t believe it has been staged in the UK by Global Majority artists before, and approaching this text with fresh eyes has revealed deep new layers in a relationship that is as knotty, heart wrenching & at times funny as the world events surrounding it.
“I hope audiences leave moved, but hopeful – this is a piece that responds to the incessant broadcast of the brutalisation of brown bodies over the last 20 years, but it’s also about solidarity and the redemption unexpected kindness provides that helps us get through it all.”
Written by Mike Bartlett, An Intervention will run at Riverside Studios from 13 January to 14 February 2027, with a press night on 18 January.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
