Santi and Naz

Theatre (artist(s) of colour, drama)

  • Pleasance Courtyard - Pleasance Two
  • 13:30
  • Aug 28
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Suitability: 12+ (Guideline)
  • Country: United Kingdom - England
  • Group: The Thelmas, The Pleasance, in Association with Sarah Verghese Productions
  • Warnings and additional info: This show contains discussion of themes around relgious and gendered violence, sexual violence, colonialism, queerness, murder and imprisonment.
  • Accessibility:
    Audio enhancement system
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    Captioning
    Relaxed Performance
    May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
  • Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
  • Policy applies to: Children under 2 years

Description

Best friends Santi and Naz live in pre-partition India. One Sikh, one Muslim, they have little understanding of how religion will divide them. As the political situation in their country worsens and the threat of separation looms large on the horizon, they decide to take drastic action. Award-winning company The Thelmas explore queer love, identity and loyalty, set against the backdrop of a country soon to be changed forever. Winner of the Pleasance's Charlie Hartill Fund. Praise for Ladykiller (2018): 'A smash hit' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Superb' **** (Scotsman).

Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].

General venue access

  • Audio enhancement system
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    Captioning
    Relaxed Performance
  • Accessible entry: Queue in cobbled courtyard. Access to space via locked lift, please notify venue ahead of your visit if you require use of the lift and ask at Info Shed upon arrival for access.
  • Wheelchair access type: Building Lift

  • Stairs: 20+
    Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.

Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info


Captioned performances

  • Dates: 15 August, 19 August
  • Type: Open
  • Booking options: You can book independently online, or contact our access team to book your tickets and request any specific seating locations or if booking a unit is required.

Relaxed performances

  • Dates: 2 August, 3 August, 4 August, 5 August, 12 August, 11 August, 10 August, 8 August, 9 August, 7 August, 6 August, 13 August, 14 August, 15 August, 16 August, 17 August, 18 August, 19 August, 20 August, 27 August, 28 August, 21 August, 22 August, 24 August, 25 August, 26 August
  • Booking options: You can book independently online, or contact our access team for more information or to discuss any accessibility requirements.
  • Character Introduction Details
  • Additional information: There may be several blackouts to facilitate scene changes. Characters express and discuss violence, religious and political unrest, religious and political violence, Empire and colonisation, forced marriage, murder and sexual assault.

Be aware that this show features:

  • Total Audience Black Out
  • Characters expressing anger
  • Permission to move around and make noise
  • Show guide or synopsis or character list

Show does not feature:

  • Flashing Lights/Strobed Lighting
  • Loud/repetitive/high pitched/unexpected or overlapping sound
  • Distinctive smells
  • Special effects (e.g. smoke/bubbles/pyrotechnics)
  • Latex balloons
  • Heavily dialogue-driven scenes
  • Audience required to walk around
  • Audience required to undertake directed movement
  • Audience required to sing/speak along with/for performer
  • Audience invited on stage
  • Performer goes into audience area
  • An intermission
  • Audience chill out area
  • Permission to engage with performer

How and when to make an access booking

Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:

  • Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
  • Requires extra assistance when at a venue
  • Has specific seating requirements
  • Is a wheelchair user
  • Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance

Kerryann Peat 34 days ago

Fantastic writing and performance. Bittersweet story of girl loves girl growing up during partition India / Pakistan. Don’t miss the last performance Monday 28th.

Jonathan Smith 37 days ago

Santi and Naz tells the story of two young women in the period leading up to the independence and partition of India. They have different faiths and personalities, and an initially playful relationship becomes more intense as religion and politics threaten to separate them. The play is perhaps slightly too long, with gentle comedy that doesn't work particularly well and references to 1940s Indian politics that some might find obscure. The performers are engaging, however, and provide an interesting angle on a crucial period of history that should be better known in this country.

Huck Portobello 40 days ago

A warm and heartfelt love - crossing boundaries, borders, cultures and horizons - Santi and Naz is a gentle love story which rises above the chaos and turmoil of Partition and cultural taboo. The two actors - their chemistry - is really what makes the show.

Interestingly - the first Edinburgh Fringe Festival was in 1947 - the same year as the Partition of India and Pakistan.

Ash Au 50 days ago

1 star (sorry), but this was incredibly disappointing. The script tried to cover multiple issues (politics, race, sexuality, violence against women), but not one of these was explored successfully. The acting was weak, and it was too long. I am a British Pakistani muslim and watched this with my British Sikh friend. The concept could not have been more relevant for us, we were very excited for the show but it was poorly executed.

Riya Kataria 53 days ago

Santi And Naz was a revelation. A beautiful story with plenty of heart & humor, balancing the political & the personal with incredible finesse. My only regret is watching this show before any other—I can’t imagine finding a show that tops this. Also, as a brown girl, was truly obsessed with this show. The dynamic between Santi and Naz was incredibly accurate and the performers absolutely knocked it out of the park.


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

ThreeWeeks (4/5 stars) 42 days ago

Subtle, nuanced, and compelling.

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LondonTheatre1 (4/5 stars) 42 days ago

A delight to watch

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The Stage (3/5 stars) 44 days ago

Examination of hidden female lives in the last years of empire in India is full of delicacy and joy

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West End Best Friend (4/5 stars) 46 days ago

It's a beautifully written script, part innocence, part discovery.

Read the full review

To Do List (4/5 stars) 46 days ago

The Thelmas return to the Fringe with a brilliant two-hander exploring queer love, identity and loyalty in pre-partition India.

Read the full review


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.