Sudha Bhuchar Appointed Artist-in-Residence at Theatre in the Mill for Bradford 2025

Theatre in the Mill, commissioned by Bradford 2025, is delighted to announce that Sudha Bhuchar has been appointed Artist-in-Residence of the theatre from June 2025 to December 2025, remaining connected till March 2026.

Over this period, the co-founder of the groundbreaking Tamasha and now artistic director of Bhuchar Boulevard, will engage with diverse local communities around Theatre in The Mill & the University of Bradford and more widely across the city. She will lead masterclasses and share her practice, offering insight into her process of creating work that is both authentic and widely accessible. Drawing upon her encounters and working with local talent, she will create new work with the working title Pen Portraits—a series of monologues and character studies inspired by verbatim testimonies and participant engagement. These will premiere as part of Theatre in the Mill’s New Works Festival in November 2025.

Shabina Aslam (Artistic Director at Theatre in The Mill) says "Sudha is a quiet revolutionary. For over forty years, she has been at the heart of South Asian theatre in Britain—building, performing, and writing stories that speak truth to power. Her residency represents both legacy and renewal. As we embrace Bradford 2025, we hope her presence will ignite a new wave of northern South Asian artists—picking up the baton lost with the closure of Freedom Studios and growing new stories from these ashes. Stories that are bold, local, and lasting. We are thrilled to welcome her to Bradford as part of this landmark year."

As part of Sudha’s residency, the theatre will host performances of her critically acclaimed solo show, Evening Conversations at city centre Loading Bay on July 25th and The Beacon in Keighley, Bradford District on July 28th. There will also be rehearsed readings of two of her most celebrated plays: Balti Kings, co-written with Shaheen Khan (a fellow actor and pioneer) and The House of Bilquis Bibi.

“It is a privilege to be able to look back and share some of my back catalogue of work and practice and to be inspired by engagement with communities from this vibrant and unique city." says Sudha Bhuchar “Bradford has such an incredible vibe and I have always enjoyed my time here- from attending and performing at the wonderful Bradford Literature festival, to touring here many years ago and most recently filming in Virdee. I look forward to digging deeper and remaining open to what may emerge from deeper dialogue and collaboration with my hosts."

---

SUDHA BHUCHAR BIOGRAPHY

Sudha is an acclaimed actor/playwright/founder of Bhuchar Boulevard. As co-founder of Tamasha, with Kristine Landon-Smith, their landmark work includes an adaptation of Rohinton Mistry’s Booker shortlisted novel, A Fine Balance & the award-winning musical Fourteen Songs Two Weddings and a Funeral.


THEATRE IN THE MILL

Theatre in the Mill is a Bradford based arts organisation committed to developing, supporting and presenting socially responsible art and performance.


BRADFORD 2025 UK CITY OF CULTURE

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture (Bradford 2025) runs from January 2025 to December 2025 and is a celebration of Bradford city and district, taking place across its city, towns, villages and greenspaces. It will showcase the rich history of the area and spotlight its dynamic contemporary culture in all forms; dance and theatre, music and film, visual arts and crafts, food and sport.

©️Photo by Harry Elletson