My Beautiful Laundrette

“Could anyone in their right mind call this silly little island off of Europe their home?”
 
Based on Hanif Kureishi’s iconic and Oscar-nominated screenplay and last brought to the stage in 2019 directed by Nikolai Foster, My Beautiful Laundrette is set in South London during the Thatcher years and tells the story of Omar. After a confrontation with a racist gang, including his former school-friend Johnny, Omar uses their history to defuse the situation. Against a backdrop of nationalism, racial tensions, financial crisis and political turmoil, the pair come together to transform a run-down laundrette and realise their feelings for one another.
 
This culture clash comedy is also a subversive work of social realism, sprinkled with magic and joy running through the rich veins of Kureishi’s writing. This bold production of Kureishi’s ground-breaking film, directed by Nicole Behan, explores cultural conflict, gender equality, class and generational strife, all presented against a funky backdrop of 80s music and culture with additional original music composed by the Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe.
 
My Beautiful Laundrette was developed with the support of the National Theatre’s Generate programme and is a Theatre Nation Partnership production, produced by Curve.
 
Show Guidance: This production contains strong language and adult themes including violence and racism.
 
Age Guidance: 15+
Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes including a 20-minute interval.