To celebrate South Asian Heritage month, the New Vic and Appetite present Sensasian, a series of exciting events including dance performances, live music, comedy and family activities, taking place from Monday 30 June to Saturday 26 July. Created in collaboration the South Asian communities of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, Sensasian is designed to showcase South Asian Culture and offer something for all ages to enjoy.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Bollywood film Sholay and featuring mesmerising dance performances choreographed to the film’s legendary soundtrack, Yeh Dosti: Celebrating 50 Years of Sholaybrings to life the energy, drama, and romance that made Sholay a timeless classic. Taking to the New Vic stage on Friday 25 July, Yeh Dosti honours the film’s enduring impact on popular culture through spectacular music and dance transporting audiences into the heart of Bollywood’s golden era.
On Saturday 26 July four fabulous comics, The Ladies of Laughter, present a night of hilarious stand-up comedy for audiences of all backgrounds to enjoy. Featuring Shazia Mirza (BBC, ITV, CH4), Tey Dhutia (BBC AN), Annette Fagon (BBC Local Radio & Radio 1Xtra) and Noreen Kahn (BBC AN, BBC 1, BBC Radio 5 Live), this unforgettable night of love and laughter is guaranteed to be a good ol’ gigglefest!
Running throughout July, artist and educator Nilupa Yasmin’s exhibition Grow Me a Waterlily and Shekah, in collaboration with Grain Projects, will be on display at the New Vic from Monday 30 June to Saturday 26 July. Drawing on her own identity through gender, religion and British Bangladeshi culture, Nilupa Yasmin’s socially engaged work utilises digitally printed fabric, weaving and photography as a craft and form of self-expression.
To complete the Sensasian line-up, the New Vic and Appetite also invite visitors to enjoy a free Family Day at the theatre on Saturday 26 July from 12-5pm. Featuring a range of exciting activities for all ages to enjoy including eye-watering acrobatic displays, henna painting, live musical performances, a family quiz show, poetry sharing, block printing workshops and more, this fusion of creativity offers something – for -everyone.
Appetite Director Rachel Adams said: “Appetite and the New Vic are thrilled to bring Sensasian back for a second year, celebrating the richness of South Asian culture. The festival is becoming a much-loved fixture in both the Appetite and New Vic programmes, reflecting the deep relationships we’ve built across different South Asian communities since The Settling and Punjab to the Potteries. It’s vital that we continue to meet the growing demand for South Asian artists to have a visible, vibrant platform here in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.”
South Asian Heritage Month officially begins on Thursday 18 July and runs until Saturday 17 August.
Sensasian will take place at the New Vic from Monday 30 June to Saturday 26 July 2025. For more information and to book tickets, visit newvictheatre.org.uk or call the Box Office on 01782 717962.