The Tara Theatre based in Earlsfield will kick off their new season with Anthony Clark’s adaptation of Abdul Halim Sharar’s Paradise of the Assassins . 

This production will be the first adaptation of Abdul Halim Sharar’s most famous novel, set in the medieval Persia which tells the story of  young lovers Hussain and Zamurrud, who have eloped and are on their way to Mecca to sanctify their marriage. After spending a night rough in the Alburz mountains, Zamurrud is kidnapped by the Assassins. In order to be reunited, Hussain must renounce his faith.

Talking about the story, Anthony Clark said: “The struggle for people of faith not to compromise what they believe in in the face of unforeseen circumstances goes to the heart of the human condition. This story touches on terror as political phenomenon and I am interested in the perpetrator who is also a victim”.

Paradise of the Assassins will include in its cast Ralph Birtwell, Rina Fantania, Skye Hallam, Asif Khan, Naveed Khan, Karl Seth, Mitesh Soni and Tripti Tripuraneni.

Meanwhile, the production will feature the designs of  Matilde Marangoni and original music by Danyal Dhondy.

Anthony Clark is an experienced directo, whose previous work includes: Resident Director at The Orange Tree Theatre, London; six years as Artistic Director of Contact Theatre, Manchester; twelve years as Associate, and then Artistic Associate Director at The Birmingham Rep and seven years as Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre, London.

Author Abdul Halim Sharar developed his writing career by serving as a correspondent for the Oudh Akhbar- an immensely popular Urdu weekly.During his lifetime, he wrote over 100 books and stories.

Paradise of the Assassins will play at the Tara Theatre from the 15th September until the 8th October. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.tara-arts.com/whats-on/paradise-of-the-assassins.