Phizzical announce the fantastic cast and creative team for their UK tour of Shahid Iqbal Khan’s Olivier Award- nominated play, 10 Nights. Starring Azan Ahmed (Van der Valk, ITV X; The Father and The Assassin, The National Theatre), this moving and funny production follows one man’s spiritual journey of self-discovery and faith.
Telling a warm story of forgiveness and acceptance, 10 Nights will have audiences embark on a spiritual sleepover, contemplating faith, friendships, and future. 10 Nights was written by Oliver Award nominated playwright and Offies finalist, Shahid Iqbal Khan (Stardust, Belgrade Theatre; Sheltering, BBC Radio 4), who made his radio debut earlier this year with Love Across The Ages on BBC Radio 4.
Azan Ahmed will lead as the role of Yasser, in this powerful one-man production. Azan kickstarted his career, in the Almeida Young Company and moved on to the Bush Theatre Company. He can currently be seen in season three of ITV’s Van Der Valk, as Eddie Suleman, and earlier this year in ITVX’s new comedy Count Abdulla. Azan’s other theatre credits include, The Tempest at Shakespeare’s Globe, Conspiracy at The New Diorama Theatre, and Cacophony at The Yard Theatre. Alongside his work as an actor, Azan is a poet/playwright and founder of Deen & Dunya, a poetry initiative elevating Muslim voices.
Sâmir Bhamra (Bombay Superstar, UK Tour) is the founder and artistic director of Phizzical Productions, as well as being the creative director of the UK Asian Film Festival. Having delighted, inspired, and nurtured audiences of all ages and backgrounds, he aims to tie together the performing arts and cinema influences across his work. Other credits of his include Cymbeline (UK Tour), What You Fancy (UK Tour) and Precious Bazaar (UK Tour).
Costume design will be led by Simron Sabri (Wonderous Stories, Commonwealth Games 2022; Roshni, Birmingham Hippodrome), with sound design from musician and composer, Sarah Sayeed (Santi and Naz; Edinburgh Fringe; Richard II, The Globe) and Reuben Cook who has worked in-house at Oxford Playhouse, Sadler’s Wells and Hackney Empire. Video projections will be from London-based comic, illustrator and artist Rudi Okasili-Henry, with lighting design from Rajiv Pattani (Trueman and the Arsonists, Roundhouse; Strategic Love Play, Paines Plough Roundabout).
Phizzical Productions produce world class entertainment, bringing bold and adventurous South Asian arts and cultural experiences to audiences around the country. They are committed to challenging the status quo and promoting equality to bring new perspectives to stories that engage and entertain.
Azan Ahmed comments, I’m incredibly honoured and excited to work on 10 Nights. Shahid’s beautifully honest play is so full of heart, humour and hope – all things that Muslims have always possessed, but rarely get a chance to show. I’m thrilled by the challenge of a solo show, and can’t wait to bring this gorgeous story across the UK.
10 Nights Will open at Omnibus Theatre 7th – 21st February.
