'They're always trying to do that. Make us run off in different directions to try to catch a single hare. Because they know. If we work together we might bring down the stag.'
By day, machine operator Prab struggles to survive the precarity and brutality of his factory job in West Bengal. By night, he writes stories for his baby daughter Amba.
When a popular actress recruits him to write a play for her, Prab seizes the opportunity to expose the injustice of factory conditions and the rumours of child exploitation. But in his fight for change, is he ready to risk his future, his family and even his own life?
Winner of Theatre Uncut's Political Playwriting Award, Sonali Bhattacharyya's Chasing Hares is a tale of resistance and dignity in the face of global exploitation. It was premiered at the Young Vic Theatre, London, in July 2022, directed by Milli Bhatia.
'[A] drama about the gig economy and the workers trapped inside it [that] plays out like a thriller. Sonali Bhattacharyya's fast, witty script finds an original way to tell the global backstory of the zero-hours workforce, joining up the dots from child labour in West Bengal to unethical working conditions in Britain... [It has] emotional power and intelligence' — Guardian
'Impassioned and moving... stirring stuff' — WhatsOnStage
'Forceful storytelling... heartbreaking... this is no simplistic diatribe about inequality... The story seamlessly yokes the personal to the political in sparkling dialogue' — Telegraph
'Powerful... delivers a persuasive final call-to-arms to its audience' — Time Out
'A story of political hope... Bhattacharyya takes us on a journey that encompasses the idealism of stories, and what happens when that collides with the ugly truth of life' — Reviews Hub
'Ambitious and essential... [it doesn't] shy away from moral complexity and complicity' — The Stage
'Pulls no punches... the play is as entertaining as it is meaningful. An important piece to watch' — Broadway World
Theatre Uncut's Political Playwriting Award
Industry Reviews
'[A] drama about the gig economy and the workers trapped inside it [that] plays out like a thriller. Sonali Bhattacharyya's fast, witty script finds an original way to tell the global backstory of the zero-hours workforce, joining up the dots from child labour in West Bengal to unethical working conditions in Britain... [It has] emotional power and intelligence'
* Guardian *
'Impassioned and moving... stirring stuff'
* WhatsOnStage *
'Forceful storytelling... heartbreaking... this is no simplistic diatribe about inequality... The story seamlessly yokes the personal to the political in sparkling dialogue'
* Telegraph *
'Powerful... delivers a persuasive final call-to-arms to its audience'
* Time Out *
'A story of political hope... Bhattacharyya takes us on a journey that encompasses the idealism of stories, and what happens when that collides with the ugly truth of life'
* Reviews Hub *
'Ambitious and essential... [it doesn't] shy away from moral complexity and complicity'
* The Stage *
'Pulls no punches... the play is as entertaining as it is meaningful. An important piece to watch'
* Broadway World *
'With its energetic arguments, moments of great charm, gritty humour, and mix of filth and idealism, this story of resistance and dignity in the face of dreadful global exploitation is both relevant and contemporary'
* Arts Desk *
'An exuberant, warm-hearted, socially motivated new play... Bhattacharyya's writing is driven by the uncynical hope that we can put ourselves in each other's shoes and make the world a fairer place'
* Observer *
'Fascinating... smouldering with anger... its arguments are potently compelling, and it achieves ignition through topicality and sheer political passion'
* iNews *
