by LAUREN CODLING
A MUSICAL adaptation of Zadie Smith’s “messy and funny” White Teeth will debut in a north London theatre next Friday (26).
Smith’s debut novel tells the story of diverse characters – including the Iqbal twins and the rest of their extended Bangladeshi family – living on Kilburn High Road in London.
Featuring a cast of 14, with a live band on stage, the play is described as “an epic comedy with music and dance”.
Set to debut at the newly revamped Kiln Theatre in north London, the production is directed by the theatre’s artistic director, Indhu Rubasingham.
She revealed British author Smith had “generously” let the production team take charge.
“It has meant that we haven’t been nervous or trying to please her. We are simply focused on serving the book,” Rubasingham told Eastern Eye on Monday (15).
Admitting she originally read the book “ages ago”, the adaption has given her a chance to revisit the story and see it in a new light.
“I’ve discovered it afresh and in a different way,” she remarked.
The musical element was something which the team felt should be incorporated to describe the book’s “heart and warmth”.
The best way to be celebratory and bring warmth and heart is through music and songs and movement, Rubasingham said.
“Music is also a great way to engage and highlight the time period of the piece,” she added.
The story is primarily set in the era of the 1980s and early 1990s. It explores the complexities of identity and immigration, all of which Rubasingham feels is relatable to her own experiences.
Describing it as a “messy, funny and very real” story, she admits the book’s narrative feels like her own, and that of many people she knew and grew up with.
“What I particularly love about the book is that it is set in Kilburn, where the theatre is, so it feels totally relevant and completely the right place to do it,” she added.
Under her leadership, the theatre – originally called the Tricycle Theatre – was renamed the Kiln Theatre earlier this year. It re-opened in September with dark comedy Holy Sh!t marking the launch of the new season.
The name change sparked some controversy, with a public petition which collected 400 signatures calling for a reversal of the theatre’s rechristening, but Rubasingham said she feels positive abut the change.
“The direction is to be better, bolder and more ambitious,” she said. “To be a beacon on the
high street and to continue to tell stories from different worlds and perspectives that reflect the neighbourhood that we live in.”
Initially set for a career in medicine, Rubasingham’s career path changed unexpectedly when she was given a chance work experience at Nottingham Playhouse.
In 2012, she took over as artistic director of the Tricycle, and in doing so, became the first non-white woman to run a major London theatre.
During the six years Rubasingham has been in charge, the theatre has achieved three West End transfers and won an Olivier award.
Rubasingham, who was a winner at the GG2 Leadership Awards in 2016, believes more south Asians are beginning to consider creative careers instead of the typical academic fields.
“I think this is changing with the generations as the creative arts are seen as a more viable career. Also, we are seeing ourselves on stage, screen and as authors, so this becomes encouraging and visible,” she said. “There can always be more, but this is the case with many different communities – we need to be reflected and seen in the mainstream.”
White Teeth is on at the Kiln Theatre from next Friday (26) until December 22
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.