In The House Of Bilquis Bibi, Bibi rules over her household with a rod of iron and a stifling love which cages her five daughters. Like butterflies forever cocooned, they long to shimmer and show their true colours.

When her second husband dies suddenly, Bilquis agrees for eldest girl Abida to become engaged to her nephew Pappo. He brings with him the hope of love and the American dream. Bilquis turns a blind eye to the illicit nightly visits Pappo pays to his fiancée’s balcony. But what will happen when she realises that more than one daughter is staying awake for him?

Following its sell-out production of A Fine Balance in 2006, theatre company Tamasha returns to Hampstead theatre with a passionate interpretation of Federico García Lorca’s masterpiece, The House Of Bernarda Alba. Set in Pakistan’s fertile Punjab region, it tells a personal yet subtly political story of small town lives with global ties.

The House Of Bilquis Bibi stars Ila Arun (Jodhaa Akbar, Fame Gurukul) and Indira Joshi (The Kumars At No. 42 and Grumpy Old Women).

To celebrate Tamasha’s 21st birthday, the company will present a series of pre and post show events in conjunction with The House Of Bilquis Bibi. Please see the Hampstead theatre website for more details. 

For more about The House Of Bilquis Bibi at the Hampstead theatre read the First Night Feature.