English Touring Theatre and Papatango today announce the full cast for the UK tour of Iman Qureshi’s The Funeral Director, an exploration of a gay Muslim woman coming to terms with her identity.
Hannah Hauer-King directs Edward Stone (Tom), Assad Zaman (Zeyd) and Francesca Zoutewelle (Janey), joining returning cast member Aryana Ramkhalawon (Ayesha). Winner of Papatango’s 10th annual New Writing Prize from 1,384 entries, the original production was premièred by Papatango at Southwark Playhouse and now embarks on a UK tour in a co-production with ETT to Traverse Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse, The North Wall and HOME Manchester in Spring 2019.
“I just thought it would be a secret I’d have to die with. And now – I think it’ll be what kills me.”
Life as the director of a Muslim funeral parlour isn’t always easy, but Ayesha has things pretty sorted. She and Zeyd share everything: a marriage, a business, a future.
Until Tom walks in to organise his boyfriend’s funeral. A snap moral decision, informed by the values of Ayesha’s community and faith, has profound consequences.
Forced to confront a secret she has hidden even from herself, Ayesha must decide who she is – no matter the cost.
The Funeral Director is an incisive and heartfelt story of sexuality, gender and religion in 21st-century Britain.
