Cast announced for The Rep’s Birmingham-set comedy drama

The cast has been announced for a new comedy drama premiering at The Rep theatre in Birmingham later this month.

Community, which runs at the theatre’s The Door performance space from Thursday 30 January to Saturday 8 February, is set in the heart of Birmingham.

Created by Birmingham-born writer Farrah Chaudhry, alumni of The Rep’s highly acclaimed artist development programme The Foundry, the production explores Themes of identity, belonging and friendship.

Local actor, Sabrina Nabi (pictured) takes on the role of Zoya – a pampered young woman from Edgbaston, struggling with a lack of purpose and her parents finally cutting her off financially.

Kerena Jagpal takes on the role of Leyla – Zoya’s hardworking and dependable friend who dedicates her time to helping others.

She lives in Balsall Heath with her housemate Khalil, a Syrian refugee, played by Sayyid Aki.

Sayyid will be making his professional stage debut on this production whereas Sabrina and Kerena are returning performers to The Rep - both taking part in Sky Comedy Rep (Kerena in 2022 and Sabrina in 2023) and the Kali Writers Discovery Showcase earlier this year.

When Zoya’s parents cut her off, she turns to old friend Leyla for help. Comedy ensues when Zoya is forced to start volunteering at the community centre and actually start thinking about others for once.

Things are going well until Zoya lets Leyla down at a talent contest at the community centre, just as her parents offer her the opportunity to go back home.

Farrah Chaudhry said: “I wanted to tell a story that celebrated brown and Muslim people at a time where we are constantly degraded and dehumanised. I wanted to show characters who were fun, funny, flawed, human, complex, kind, and on journeys of healing, loved and loving, rather than how we are often portrayed on TV, film or stage.

“This play is a love letter to Birmingham too, celebrating all that we are in community - something that's been really important to me recently.”

The production is also aiming to be a Green Book sustainably made theatre production.

Green Book productions are part of a theatre industry initiative to tackle climate change from waste reduction to printing posters on recycled paper.