We All Live in Bhopal by M. Sudhir Selvaraj: A Participatory Staged Reading

M. Sudhir Selvaraj's documentary play explores the 1984 Bhopal Gas Disaster - the world's worst industrial disaster - and the survivors' subsequent campaign for justice over the last four decades. Based on primary and secondary data, it moves from ground zero of the disaster to corporate board rooms to university campuses. The central theme of the play is hope.

This free event involves a participatory staged reading led by the author. Audience members will be invited to actively participate in the reading of the script, taking on large or small roles (if they feel comfortable to do so), or you can choose to simply come along and listen. There is no set or stage, costumes, or props. The session will involve a centring exercise, allocation of roles, a reading of the play, and a discussion.

The event will be relevant to anyone interested in contemporary theatre and the making of verbatim theatre pieces, industrial disasters and their health and environmental effects, environmental justice, and the relationship between the arts and activism. Participants don't need to have any experience (or skill!) in acting or theatre making. Please come along if you are interested in learning more about the Bhopal disaster and its aftermath.

Dr. M Sudhir Selvaraj is currently an Assistant Professor/Senior Lecturer in the University of Bradford’s Department of Peace Studies and International Development. He is also a playwright, having written three plays on conflicts and disasters in South Asia. Written initially to raise awareness among urban Indian youth who may not be familiar with the disaster, We All Live in Bhopal has been produced over 50 times in performance venues and college campuses in India, the UK, and the US. All proceeds have gone to support survivors of the disaster.

We are asking visitors to submit an expression of interest for the reading just to get a sense of numbers and help us organise the event. Please feel free to decide on the day if you want to participate in the reading or be an audience member!

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