The Wrong Bashir

A Crow's Theatre Production
Written by Zahida Rahemtulla
Directed by Paolo Santalucia
Tickets start at $50
2 hours 15 minutes including intermission

Toronto Premiere
May 21, 2024 - Jul 16, 2024
Guloien Theatre

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.

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.

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.


Much like Kim’s ConvenienceThe Wrong Bashir offers characters familiar to and loved by their communities,...and a laugh-yourself-silly evening.

JoLedingham.ca

The Wrong Bashir is one big wacky romp.

Vancouverplays

Artistic Team

Sharjil Rasool

Bashir

Bren Eastcott

Nafisa

Sugith Varughese

Sultan

Nimet Kanji

Najma

Vijay Mehta

Al Nashir

Pamela Mala Sinha

Gulzar

Salim Rahemtulla

Dadipapa

Zaittun Esmail

Dadima

Parm Soor

Mansour

Paolo Santalucia

Director

Zahida Rahemtulla

Playwright & Associate Director

Neha Ross

Stage Manager

Victoria Wang

Assistant Stage Manager

Ken Mackenzie

Set & Lighting Designer

Ming Wong

Costume Designer

Jacob Lin 林鴻恩

Sound Designer

Kelly McEvenue

Alexander Technique Coach

Lisa Nighswander

Head of Props

Ellie Koffman

Head of Wardrobe

Erin Halls

Stitcher