NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS

India is surging with global ambition. But beyond the luxury hotels surrounding Mumbai airport lies a makeshift slum, full of people with plans of their own. Zehrunisa and her son Abdul aim to recycle enough rubbish to fund a proper house. Sunil, twelve and stunted, wants to eat until he’s as tall as Kalu the thief. Asha seeks to steal government anti-poverty funds to turn herself into a ‘first-class person’, while her daughter Manju intends to become the slum’s first female graduate. But their schemes are fragile; global recession threatens the garbage trade, and another slum-dweller is about to make an accusation that will destroy herself and shatter the neighbourhood.

The Crew

Meera Syal

Zehrunisa Husain

Vincent Ebrahim

Sartaj Garewal

Mahadeo Waghekar

Muzz Khan

Ranjit Krishnamma

Raja Kamble

Stephanie Street

Asha Waghekar

Hiran Abeysekera

Sunil Sharma

Esh Alladi

Esh Alladi: Guard at Dongri, Defender

Nathalie Armin

Pal Aron