Behind the Beautiful Forevers: National Theatre Digital Programme

The National Theatre presents a digital programme to accompany the production of Behind the Beautiful Forevers, a new play by David Hare based on the book by Katherine Boo.

Get an insight into the production with exclusive articles, video content, photo galleries, interviews with the creative team and more.
India is surging with global ambition. But beyond the luxury hotels surrounding Mumbai airport lies a makeshift slum, full of people with plans of their own.

Zehrunisa and her son Abdul aim to recycle enough rubbish to fund a proper house. Sunil, twelve and stunted, wants to eat until he’s as tall as Kalu the thief. Asha seeks to steal government anti-poverty funds to turn herself into a ‘first-class person’, while her daughter Manju intends to become the slum’s first female graduate.

But their schemes are fragile; global recession threatens the garbage trade, and another slum-dweller is about to make an accusation that will destroy herself and shatter the neighbourhood.

This digital programme does not include the full performance broadcast.