King Troll (The Fawn)

About

A dystopian tale about the corrosive impact of state racism and the monster within two migrant sisters. 

Finalist for the 2023 Women’s Prize for Playwriting, King Troll (The Fawn) is a dark and otherworldly thriller about two South Asian sisters, desperate to escape the border regime without losing their humanity. Is that even possible on this island? A dystopian exploration of migrant experiences in all their complexity. 

Riya and Nikita navigate the increasingly authoritarian island where they live in wildly different ways. Insecure, stateless, both desperate for somewhere to call ‘home’. 

Riya is offered the chance to create an advocate in the form of a homunculus, or fawn, and sees a chance to elevate herself above the cruelty meted out to others. 

Nikita tries to keep her saviour complex in check as she negotiates the challenges and hypocrisy of the third sector, where she supports young migrants. Her deep connection with one client forces her to confront the limitations of her work.  

King Troll is about the troll that lives within all of us - whispering ‘me, not us’, and definitely ‘me’ first.  

“Big, angry bear,  
Drags you by the hair,  
Rough, wet tongue, 
Licks you ‘til you cum.  
Sharp, curved claws, 
Tear your silky drawers,  
Smooth, arched back,  
Hear your spine go crack.”

Quotes & Reviews

Events Programme

All events are free with your ticket to King Troll (The Fawn).

Workshop: How to Stop an Immigration Raid

Saturday 19th October, 5:30-7:00pm

Led by King Troll (The Fawn) playwright Sonali Bhattacharyya in collaboration with the Anti Raids Network, this introductory training will offer you accessible, hands-on information for resisting border enforcement in your communities. Topics covered will include how to spot a raid, tools to intervene, and how to build sustainable resistance in the long-term. All are welcome, and no previous knowledge is required – bring your questions!

The sessions are scheduled between the matinee and evening performances of King Troll (The Fawn), to allow you to join us before or after the show.

To RSVP, please fill out the booking form at this link.

Panel: Border Resistance – Activism and Imagination

Tuesday 22nd October, post-show

How do we organise for justice in the present while imagining better futures in the context of the UK’s border regime? Journalist, activist, and organiser Amardeep Singh Dhillon, co-editor of Red Pepper magazine, hosts a panel exploring the work and perspectives of a trio of brilliant activists representing organisations and movements on the frontlines of migrant justice and border resistance. Panellists include speakers from Migrants Organise, Detention Action, and Right to Remain.

Community Workshops

We will be hosting a series of workshops during the run led by King Troll (The Fawn) assistant director Neetu Singh on the themes and techniques behind the show with community partners Camden Youth Theatre and Third Age Project.

Reviews for King Troll (The Fawn)

★★★★★ 'Milli Bhatia’s production of Sonali Bhattacharyya’s bleak allegorical dystopia is an awesome and unsettling experience' - Time Out

★★★★★ 'As an art form theatre is rarely truly frightening. Often a show will be disquieting, or sinister, but as King Troll began, I was confronted with the unusual sensation of fear... It is thought provoking and moving and is horror at its best." - The Spy in the Stalls

★★★★ 'Nerves jangle from the first moment, and never get a chance to calm during this cracking show that nudges activist drama into atavistic horror.' - The Guardian

★★★★ 'Striking a careful balance between thriller, political drama and comedy, writer Sonali Bhattacharyya and director Milli Bhatia have created a new genre: Home Office horror.' - What's On Stage

★★★★ 'This show deserves a long life ahead of it. It captures the heartache and urgency of our times with a spine-tingling poignancy few other works manage to achieve.' - Broadway World

★★★★ 'Cements Bhatia & Bhattacharyya as two of the most exciting theatremakers in Britain.' - Hamza Jahanzeb

Nominated for Offie awards for Sound Design and Lighting Design 

The Company

Credits

Writer - Sonali Bhattacharyya
Director - Milli Bhatia  
Designer - Rajha Shakiry  
Associate Designer - Yimei Zhao  
Lighting Designer - Elliot Griggs 
Composer and Sound Designer - XANA  
Movement Director - Iskandar Sharazuddin  
Fight Director - Bret Yount 
Casting Director - Arthur Carrington
Assistant Director - Neetu Singh
Production Manager – Chris Burr 
Wellbeing Practitioner - Eshmit Kaur 
Stage Manager - Stacey Nurse
Assistant Stage Manager - Masha Kononovs

Tahir - Diyar Bozkurt
Shashi/Mrs B - Ayesha Dharker
Nikita - Zainab Hasan
The Fawn - Dominic Holmes
Riya - Safiyya Ingar

A co-production between Kali Theatre and New Diorama Theatre. Co-commissioned by New Diorama Theatre.

About the Company

Kali Theatre develops and presents thought provoking, contemporary new plays by women of South Asian descent which reflect and comment on our lives today.  Established in 1991, their award-winning productions have earned rave reviews, sell out performances and inspired audiences throughout the UK and beyond.

kalitheatre.co.uk / @KaliTheatreUK

Cast & Creatives

Gallery

Gallery