The Father and the Assassin

‘Our wars may come in many forms. On the battlefields. Within ourselves.’

Mahatma Gandhi: lawyer, champion of non-violence, beloved leader. Nathuram Godse: journalist, nationalist - and the man who murdered him.

Anupama Chandrasekhar’s play The Father and the Assassin traces Godse’s life over thirty years during India’s fight for independence: from a devout follower of Gandhi, through to his radicalisation and their tragic final encounter in Delhi in 1948.

An essential exploration of oppression and extremism, this gripping play opened at the National Theatre, London, in May 2022, directed by Indhu Rubasingham.

‘Exhilarating… big, bold political history that commands the National Theatre’s largest stage… Chandrasekhar artfully unpicks the forces of history with a tale of violence and colonialism that echoes into today’
- Guardian

‘A terrific, stirring new play. It is both epic and easy, filling the stage with the sweep of history but, more importantly, with an engaging play of ideas… a play full of humour and humanity as well as analytical thought’
- WhatsOnStage

‘Blackly hilarious… a brilliantly entertaining historical drama… a tremendous piece of writing, and very, very funny’
- Time Out

‘Epic but accessible… sharply incisive… viscerally affecting’
- The Stage

‘Colourful, ambitious, fast-paced storytelling’
- Arts Desk

‘A lavish political thriller and a riveting psychodrama… punchy and electrifying… a majestic theatrical tapestry’
- Broadway World

‘Fascinating and topical’
- Telegraph