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Photo of RJ Jeyaratnam by Colton Curtis

THE WRONG BASHIR

  • A Crow's Theatre Production
  • Zahida Rahemtulla
  • Paolo Santalucia
  • May 21 - Jun 9, 2024
  • Tickets start at $50
  • Guloien Theatre
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  • Details

    TORONTO PREMIERE

    Bashir Ladha, a bohemian philosophy podcaster, finds himself unwittingly thrust into the spotlight when he is chosen to assume a distinguished religious position that his parents have eagerly accepted on his behalf. Before Bashir can object, two committee representatives are at his door to congratulate him. As the representatives start to suspect a mistake has been made, Bashir’s jubilant grandparents and relatives arrive to commemorate the honour. A charming farce ensues, prompting questions around whether the seemingly wrong Bashir may, in fact, be the right one.

    “Much like Kim’s Convenience, The Wrong Bashir offers characters familiar to and loved by their communities,...and a laugh-yourself-silly evening.”     JoLedingham.ca

    Fast-paced, original, and laugh-out-loud funny, this delightful debut by Zahida Rahemtulla invites us to look at values passed down through generations, the ties of community, and how we are shaped by those who love us most— even when we try to run away from them.

     

    “The Wrong Bashir is one big wacky romp.” Vancouverplays

    Zahida Rahemtulla is a playwright and short story writer. Her first play, The Wrong Bashir, a farce about the Ismaili community, premiered in Vancouver to a sold-out run and critical acclaim in spring 2023 with Touchstone Theatre.

    Zahida’s second play, The Frontliners, a comedic drama about refugee settlement, won the Playwrights Guild of Canada RBC Emerging Playwright Award, Theatre BC's Play of Special Merit Award, and was runner-up for the national Voaden Prize in Playwriting. Her stories have been shortlisted for the Alice Munro story award and longlisted for the CBC short story prize. For several years, Zahida worked in British Columbia's immigrant and refugee non-profit sector in the areas of housing, employment, and literacy.

    Director Paolo Santalucia is an award-winning actor, writer and director; a founding member of The Howland Company; a John Hirsch Award for Directing Finalist; and Associate  Artistic Director of Crow’s Theatre. At Crow’s, Paolo appeared in Orphans for the Czar, made his playwrighting debut with Prodigal (in association with The Howland Company), and served as assistant director for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 and Dana H.

    PERFORMANCE NOTES

    Post-Show Talkback (in the Theatre):

    • Tuesday, May 28

    Mask Required Performances:

    • Sunday, May 26 @ 1:30pm (also a Pay-What-You-Can performance)
    • Tuesday, June 4 @ 7:30pm 

    IDEAS AT CROW'S THEATRE—Pre-Show Live Taping of CBC Radio's IDEAS

    "Community, Citizenship and Belonging" featuring Jamie Chai Yun Liew:

    • Inspired by this show, Novelist and immigration and refugee lawyer Jamie Chai Yun Liew explores how our ideas of kinship and family shape the way we understand community, citizenship, and belonging.
    • Sunday, June 2, 2024
    • NOTE: Admission to the taping is free, but space is limited, and separate tickets are needed if you'll also be attending the show afterwards. Reserve your spot here
    THE WRONG BASHIR Supporting Sponsors

    Shabin & Nadir Mohamed

    Tazmin Merali & Nasir Noormohamed

     

  • Dates & Times
  • The Team

    CAST

    • Sharjil Rasool - Bashir
    • Bren Eastcott - Nafisa
    • Sugith Varughese - Sultan
    • Nimet Kanji - Najma
    • Vijay Mehta - Al Nashir
    • TBA - Gulzar
    • Salim Rahemtulla - Dadipapa
    • Zaittun Esmail - Dadima
    • Parm Soor - Mansour