Meera Syal has been awarded Best Actress (Theatre) at the Eastern Eye Art, Culture and Theatre Awards (ACTAs) 2025 for her deeply moving performance in A Tupperware of Ashes. The poignant play by Tanika Gupta premiered at the National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre in 2024, where Syal portrayed Queenie, a formidable British-Bengali matriarch and Michelin-starred chef battling early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Through Queenie’s character, Syal delivered an authentic and emotionally powerful depiction of the devastating effects of dementia, exploring the fractured relationships within a family struggling to cope with loss and change.
Syal’s portrayal earned widespread critical acclaim. The Guardian praised her for capturing Queenie’s transformation from a commanding presence to a vulnerable figure with heartbreaking authenticity. What’s On Stage highlighted her skill in navigating the delicate balance between moments of lucidity and confusion, calling her performance one that "commands attention and leaves a lasting impression." Meanwhile, The Times described her as a "formidable matriarch," underlining the emotional depth she brought to this challenging role.
The production, under the direction of Pooja Ghai, featured minimalist yet evocative set design by Rosa Maggiora, complemented by a haunting score from Nitin Sawhney. Together, these elements vividly illustrated Queenie’s internal disorientation through lighting and projections, immersing audiences in the fragmented experience of memory loss. Beyond dementia, the play addressed themes of familial duty, cultural identity, and the strain on the UK’s healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on their own experiences caring for relatives with dementia, Syal, co-star Shobna Gulati, and playwright Gupta infused the narrative with poignant authenticity.
A celebrated figure in British theatre and television, Meera Syal has long been recognised for her versatility and commitment to representing nuanced stories from South Asian perspectives. Her career spans decades of acclaimed work, including writing, acting, and comedy, with landmark contributions to shows such as Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42. With A Tupperware of Ashes, Syal continues to demonstrate her remarkable range, delivering a heartfelt tribute to families navigating the complexities of illness, memory, and cultural expectation.
Her ACTAs 2025 win for Best Actress (Theatre) not only celebrates her exceptional talent but also highlights the growing recognition of diverse voices and stories in the UK’s performing arts scene.
