'My name is Karim Amir, and I am an Englishman born and bred. Almost.'

South London in the late seventies. High unemployment, high inflation, food shortages and strikes. But despite the winter of discontent, 17-year-old Karim’s life is about to explode into glorious technicolour as he navigates a path to enlightenment. Or at the very least, Beckenham.

Director Emma Rice brings her unique and joyful style to Hanif Kureishi’s award-winning 1990 novel, exploring family, friends, sex, theatre and, ultimately, belonging, in a production that will you leave you ‘on a rare high’ (Telegraph).

The RSC and Wise Children’s ‘intoxicating five-star’ (The Times) production of The Buddha of Suburbia transfers to London’s Barbican from 22 October for a limited four-week season only.

Age guidance 13+. This production contains scenes of an adult nature, including depictions of nudity and sexual acts, and swearing throughout. For more information about themes and contents of this play, please see our content advisory page.

New Work at the RSC is generously supported by Hawthornden Foundation and The Drue and H.J. Heinz II Charitable Trust