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Welcome to A Season of Bangla Drama
Welcome to A Season of Bangla Drama 2026. We are proud that this high-calibre theatre festival is returning to Tower Hamlets for its 23rd year.
This year's theme, Curiosity, invites us to ask questions, discover new perspectives and celebrate the stories that connect our communities across generations.
Our contributors have embraced this theme in inspiring and imaginative ways. The programme features 12 theatre productions alongside a vibrant fringe programme of workshops, poetry, music, film, exhibitions, heritage walks and community conversations. Together, they explore curiosity as a force for creativity, courage and connection.
Many of this year's productions delve into migration, identity and belonging. From stories of first-generation arrivals and hidden family histories to reflections on home, memory and the journeys that shape who we become, these performances remind us that curiosity is often the first step towards connecting with and understanding one another.
Other productions explore ageing, family relationships, women's experiences and the resilience of communities. The diverse programme of theatre productions incorporates music, storytelling, youth-led drama, comedy and dance-drama.
The festival also celebrates the remarkable legacy of British Bangladeshi theatre in East London. Opening with Narratives of Time, an anthology spanning six decades of community storytelling, this year's programme honours those who built spaces for Bengali voices while creating opportunities for today's artists to imagine new futures.
Alongside the performances is a bustling fringe programme, with many events free of charge. Whether you're trying your hand at playwriting, storytelling or fashion illustration, joining a heritage walk through Banglatown, listening to poetry, or discovering the Bangla alphabet through creative workshops, there are opportunities for everyone to get involved. The programme includes events for young people, families, women-only spaces and audiences of all backgrounds.
For 23 years, A Season of Bangla Drama has been a unique celebration of our vibrant British Bangladeshi community and an important part of Tower Hamlets' cultural life. It continues to provide a platform for established and emerging artists alike, while welcoming audiences from across London to experience the richness of Bangla culture.
We hope you will enjoy this unique and wide-ranging programme, embrace your curiosity, discover new stories, and make lasting connections throughout this wonderful month of theatre and creativity.
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets
Cllr Minara Khatun, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism