Highlights:
-
Sweetmeats previews at Bush Theatre from 7 February 2026 and runs until 21 March
-
The play follows two south Asian elders living with and at risk of type-2 diabetes
-
Shobu Kapoor and Rehan Sheikh lead the cast
-
Co-produced by Bush Theatre and Tara Theatre and written by Karim Khan
- Advertisement - -
Tickets start at £15, with concessions and accessible performances available
Sweetmeats, a new stage production focused on diabetes and aging within the south Asian community, will have its world premiere at London’s Bush Theatre from 7 February 2026. Running until 21 March, the play is written by Karim Khan and directed by Natasha Kathi-Chandra of Tara Theatre. The production is co-produced by Bush Theatre and Tara Theatre and forms part of a wider effort to increase representation of south Asian stories on the British stage.
At the center of Sweetmeats are Hema and Liaquat, two south Asian elders who meet during a diabetes support course. Their shared health concerns become the starting point for an unexpected relationship. Through their interactions, Sweetmeats explores how chronic illness, companionship, and later-life love intersect within communities that are often underrepresented in mainstream theatre.
Why Sweetmeats focuses on diabetes in south Asian communities
The focus of Sweetmeats is rooted in well-documented health inequalities. In England, more than 420,000 people of south Asian descent are living with diabetes, while over 230,000 are considered at high risk of developing the condition. Research shows that south Asians are four to six times more likely to develop type-2 diabetes than white populations. Medical experts point to a combination of genetic predisposition, body fat distribution, dietary patterns, and lower average levels of physical activity as contributing factors.
By centering Sweetmeats on these realities, the play brings public health concerns into a personal and accessible setting. Rather than presenting statistics alone, Sweetmeats shows how diabetes shapes daily routines, relationships, and emotional lives.
Writer Karim Khan said the story was intentionally focused on older characters who are rarely given space on stage. “I wanted to make them the main characters of their own love story, as they navigate blood sugar levels, hypo snacks and metformin,” he explained.
Sweetmeats cast and creative team
The lead roles in Sweetmeats are played by Shobu Kapoor and Rehan Sheikh. Kapoor, known for her work in Polite Society, portrays Hema, while Sheikh, who appeared in Silence, plays Liaquat. Their performances anchor the production and reflect the everyday experiences of south Asian elders managing long-term health conditions.
The creative team behind Sweetmeats brings together artists from across theatre and music. Set and costume design is by Aldo Vázquez, lighting design by Simeon Miller, and sound design by Hugh Sheehan. Original music is composed by Amrit Kaur Lohia, while movement direction is led by Mateus Daniel. Casting is handled by Chloe Blake.
The collaboration between Bush Theatre and Tara Theatre is central to the project. Tara Theatre has a long history of staging work that reflects the political, social, and cultural realities of south Asian diaspora communities in the UK.
Natasha Kathi-Chandra, artistic director of Tara Theatre and director of Sweetmeats, said: “This play invites audiences into the rich journeys of elders from diaspora communities.”
View this post on Instagram
When and where to see Sweetmeats
Sweetmeats runs Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinee performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout February and March. The production includes relaxed performances, captioned shows, and audio-described performances to improve accessibility. Press night is scheduled for 13 February at 7pm.
Ticket prices for Sweetmeats range from £15 to £35, with concession tickets available from £5. Bush Theatre has expanded its allocation of lower-priced tickets as part of its commitment to accessibility. Tickets can be booked through the Bush Theatre website or directly via the Box Office.
The wider significance of Sweetmeats
Beyond its central narrative, Sweetmeats contributes to ongoing conversations about health awareness, aging, and representation. Diabetes remains a significant public health issue in south Asian communities, yet it is rarely explored through the lens of older characters in theatre. By placing elders at the heart of the story, Sweetmeats challenges common assumptions about who gets to be seen, heard, and valued on stage.
The production also reflects Tara Theatre’s broader mission to tell socially relevant stories that resonate beyond the auditorium. Sweetmeats blends a personal love story with real-world health concerns, offering audiences a perspective that is both intimate and informative.
As Sweetmeats prepares to open at Bush Theatre, it stands as a work that combines cultural specificity with universal themes. Through its focus on diabetes, aging, and connection, Sweetmeats adds a distinct voice to contemporary British theatre while addressing issues that affect thousands of families across the UK.
