National Theatre Live screens drama about the Mumbai slums at the Merlin

The latest National Theatre Live screening at the Merlin is ‘Behind the Beautiful Forevers’ on Thursday 12th March, 7.00pm

Meera Syal (star of TV’s ‘The Kumars’ and ‘Goodness Gracious Me’) returns to the National Theatre, directed by Rufus Norris.

Pulizter Prize-winner Katherine Boo spent three years in Annawadi recording the lives of its residents. From her uncompromising book, winner of the National Book Award for Non-Fiction 2012, David Hare has fashioned a tumultuous play on an epic scale. Hare is a prolific dramatis and screenwriter, famous for his stage plays such as ‘Plenty’ and ‘Absence of War’, and for scripting  films such as ‘The Hours’, ‘The Reader’ and ‘The Corrections’.

India is surging with global ambition. But beyond the luxury hotels surrounding Mumbai airport lies a makeshift slum, full of people with plans of their own. Zehrunisa and her son Abdul aim to recycle enough rubbish to fund a proper house. Sunil, 12 and stunted, wants to eat until he’s as tall as Kalu the thief. Asha seeks to steal government anti-poverty funds to turn herself into a ‘first-class person’, while her daughter Manju intends to become the slum’s first female graduate.

But their schemes are fragile; global recession threatens the garbage trade, and another slum-dweller is about to make an accusation that will destroy herself and shatter the neighbourhood.

This is the world beyond the walls of the ‘Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’!

Tickets to the screening at the Merlin on Thursday 12th March are £15 for adults and concessions £10.  Recommended 15+.  Running time: 180 mins. www.merlintheatre.co.uk

Make a night of it and come for a pre-show supper lovingly prepared by Events Horizon. Supper will be served 45 mins before the performance with mains at £7 and puds for £3, payable on the night. To book supper, please contact Keren Hayden at kerenhayden@gmail.com or tel: 07968 753632.