OT Northern Lights Season
Our Northern Lights series of script-in-hand readings on a Nordic theme continues with a contemporary tale of siblinghood, inspired by the playwright’s own experience of growing up in a Danish-Iranian household.
A seemingly happy family, recently installed in the suburbs, presents domestic bliss and intercultural harmony. But behind closed doors, two brothers bear the brunt of their parents’ increasing estrangement, while the world outside questions whether they belong in this country at all. In the search for solace and affirmation, the siblings’ lives take two markedly different directions. Under such pressure, can their fraternal bond hold out?
Following its premiere at the Royal Danish Theatre and later production at the Helsingborg City Theatre, Sweden, this English-language translation by Paul Russell Garrett marks the UK premiere of Alexander Mayah Larsen’s moving and provocative story of the love between brothers at the place where two cultures meet.
Showcasing rediscovered classics, modern revival, contemporary drama and a specially commissioned new play, Northern Lights continues every Friday lunchtime until November 21.
Directed by Yasmin Hafesji
Alexander Mayah Larsen is a Danish–Iranian award-winning actor and playwright. He is among the new and emerging voices in Danish performing arts, and since January 2025 he has served as Artistic Director at Blaagaard Theater in Copenhagen. Alexander graduated as an actor from the Danish National School of Performing Arts in 2019 and has appeared in numerous theatre productions on stages across Denmark. As a writer, his plays THE SUCCESSOR (Tronfølger) and LIKE BROTHERS (Som Brødre), have both achieved great success in Denmark and Sweden. He has received several awards for his artistic work, including a Reumert Award (Årets Reumert, Denmark’s most prestigious awards for the performing arts).
Paul Russell Garrett translates from Danish and Norwegian with a particular focus on drama, working on over a dozen plays and closely collaborating with Foreign Affairs on their Theatre Translator mentorship. He also translates literary fiction, including work by Norwegian author Lars Mytting and Danish authors Michael Strunge and Christina Hesseldholdt. Paul is Chair of DELT, the Association of Danish-English Literary Translators, and serves on the committee of the UK Translators Association. Originally from a small suburb of Vancouver, Paul is now based in east London.
Yasmin Hafesji is a theatremaker and film director from London. She studied at the University of Cambridge and trained with the Young Vic and National Theatre Studio. She was Associate Director at the Gate Theatre from 2020–2022.
As Director:
A Death in the Family (Unmannered and Clouded Productions); Swallow the Lake (Mercury Theatre); A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain; Two Heads and a Hand; The Jokers (Gate Theatre); Electra (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama); The Sex Ed Musical (ice&fire); The Maladies (Almeida Theatre); Kick (Lyric Hammersmith, winner of The Bill Cashmore Award); Fresh Direction: Replay (Young Vic); Watch Me Dance!; Young Writers Group Showcase (Bush Theatre).
As Assistant Director/Associate Director:
The Motive and the Cue; London Tide (National Theatre); The Years; The Tragedy of Macbeth (Almeida Theatre); Women Beware Women (Shakespeare’s Globe); Fairview (Young Vic); Dear Elizabeth (Gate Theatre).
Cast
Brandon Bassir
A: Little Brother
Noof Ousellam
B: Big Brother
Saleh Zarei
C: Musician
