Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afganistan

Performed on Mon 20 Jun

BRIXTON HOUSE and HIGHTIDE present KABUL GOES POP - Music Television Afghanistan, in association with Mercury Colchester

The world premiere production of the debut play by East of England playwright Waleed Akhtar, Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan explores the devastating effects when two young friends take on the political landscape while trying to build a new Afghanistan. Inspired by the true story of the hosts of Afghanistan's first pop music station, this bold new play combines a hard-hitting examination of the complex, contradictory political events of the early 2000s with an irreverent, playful love of the pop bangers of the period - expect Britney, Christina and more!

'Kabul Goes Pop' was first presented at the Mercury Theatre as part of Mercury Reads in early 2021 and was then as part of HighTide's 'Inventing The Future' Festival later that year at the New Wolsey. This fully staged production is directed by rising star of British theatre Anna Himali Howard, previously Associate Director on the legendary theatre production 'FLEABAG' by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Creative Team
Writer – Waleed Akhtar
Director – Anna Himali Howard

Content warnings:
The show contains swearing and themes which may cause distress.
Sexual violence is referred to, and abduction and murder is described.
Grief over the loss of a loved one is depicted, and the mental illness and death of a family member is referred to.
War and political violence is discussed, including mentions of suicide bombings and a description of being injured in a bombing.
Life under Soviet and Mujahideen conflict and Taliban rule in Afghanistan is described.

West End Offie awards nominated for Most Promising Playwright and Lead Performance.