A theatrical play set in both Bangladesh and the UK is touring the North West in May 2026, titled ‘Ghoorni’ which means ‘Disastrous Cycle’. A dramatic narrative which connects with issues of climate justice, migration, heritage, identity and community. We aim to see how, with very limited resources, we can make this a Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact that tackles the issues in a meaningful and action-generating way.
The play is the creation of AYNA Arts originally commissioned by Crossing Footprints in 2022. Crossing Footprints are again partnering with AYNA Arts as the Impact Producer for the tour, implementing an innovative set of strategies to enhance the ability of the play to generate real-world change. One element of this is a quick-read factsheet within the printed programme, which links (via a QR code) to a more detailed online factsheet about climate change.
SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY:
Ghoorni is a play about two young people piecing together their family history. They discover how their grandfather came to the UK from Bangladesh in the 1970s after losing everything in a devastating cyclone that also played a significant role in the country’s history. The play highlights the climate injustice between Bangladesh and wealthier countries including the UK. Mr Ali left a country with low climate impact to work in a UK industry with high climate impact. It seems ironic that this impact is likely to damage his own home country. The play focuses on the serious issue of the climate crisis and its terrible effects on health and livelihoods across the globe. It also demonstrates the concern over these issues felt by the younger generation. Many are determined to bring about positive change. From this comes hope for the future.
GHOORNI TOUR 2026:
- Saturday 9 May 2026, Burnley Youth Theatre, Queen’s Park Road, Burnley, BB10 3LB (Free but booking required)
- Saturday 23 May 2026, Oldham Library Theatre Space, 35 Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL (£5 tickets)
- Sunday 24 May 2026, Carlisle Business Centre, 60 Carlisle Road, Manningham, Bradford BD8 8BD (£5 tickets)
Doors open at 12.30pm and shows start 1pm for all tour dates. More information at www.aynaarts.com and also via their Facebook page.
UK’s first theatrical play about climate justice and Bangladesh
Ghoorni by AYNA Arts is probably the UK’s first theatrical play focusing on climate change and Bangladesh. It was first commissioned by Crossing Footprints for the Manchester Histories Festival in 2022, originally written by Jesmin Chowdhury, directed bu Apu Chowdhury, and then performed as a short drama piece presented at Manchester Central Library’s performance space. It was to be followed by The Final Trumpet, written and produced by Bangladeshi-British artist Tasnim Siddiqa Amin in 2024, by which time a longer full length version of Ghoorni had also been developed. Both plays interwove strong themes of climate justice and together they were performed at the ‘Season of Bangla Drama’ festival in 2024.
above: AYNA Arts rehearsal session for Ghoorni, May 2026
(photos credit: Kooj Chuhan / Crossing Footprints)
A Bangladeshi play with Climate Justice Impact
Now in 2026 Ghoorni has evolved further, with new developments artistically and has also involved a strong and multi-level process for generating for climate justice ‘impact’. Crossing Footprints have partnered with AYNA Arts of integrating a set of strategies with the aim of doing more than simply raising awareness. With issues as urgent as this, we want people to actively do something after seeing the play -that’s what the word ‘Impact’ is about. This is important for both Bangladeshi audiences, who are often left out of many UK environmental and climate action initiatives, but also for the wider range of communities who may be moved to become active after seeing a Bangladeshi play with a central Climate Justice narrative.
More about how Crossing Footprints has partnered as an Impact Producer for this production will be published on this website in the near future. Anyone interested to know more can also get in touch via our Contact page.
