Belgrade Theatre Coventry and Rifco Theatre Company have announced a major new partnership set to launch in 2026, aimed at celebrating and elevating British South Asian stories on stage.
The collaboration was unveiled at See It First: Elevating the British South Asian Voice, a special event hosted at the Belgrade Theatre, bringing together artists, producers, and creatives to explore the future of British South Asian storytelling in UK theatre.
Following the success of Frankie Goes to Bollywood in 2024, this multi-year partnership will deliver bold new productions, foster artistic innovation, and deepen engagement with South Asian communities across Coventry and the West Midlands.
Pravesh Kumar MBE, Artistic Director of Rifco Theatre Company, said,
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Belgrade Theatre in such a transformative and meaningful way. Coventry’s South Asian communities are rich with untold stories, authentic voices, and bold creative potential. This partnership gives us a powerful platform to nurture talent, reach wider audiences, and create ambitious theatre – including new musicals – that truly reflects the spirit, diversity and dynamism of modern Britain.”
Corey Campbell, Artistic Director of Belgrade Theatre, and Laura Elliot, Chief Executive, added,
“We’re proud to enter into this long-term partnership with Rifco, one of the UK’s most important British South Asian theatre companies. This work is about more than programming – it’s about shared vision, a commitment to representation, and placing Coventry at the heart of a national conversation about identity, creativity and community.”
Launching in April 2026, the partnership will focus on four key areas: artistic development, audience growth, workforce development, and civic impact.
Key initiatives include annual main house productions, the Rifco Associates artist development programme, and year-round community engagement activities tailored to Coventry’s South Asian communities.
The collaboration will also involve shared infrastructure and resources, new commissions, and revivals, all designed to amplify underrepresented voices and reimagine theatre’s role in the community.
Through targeted outreach, ambassador schemes, and bespoke engagement around each production, the partnership aims to grow audiences and establish Coventry as a national hub for British South Asian theatre-making.
More information can be found here
