THE WRONG GODS

WRITTEN BY S. SHAKTHIDHARAN
DIRECTED BY HANNAH GOODWIN & S. SHAKTHIDHARAN

Following the acclaimed success of Counting and Cracking and The Jungle and the Sea, Belvoir proudly presents the world premiere of The Wrong Gods — a powerful new work exploring local justice and global power, from seven-time Helpmann Award-winning playwright S. Shakthidharan. Showing from 3 May to 1 June.

Set in a remote valley in India, ancient cave paintings mark fifty thousand years of human presence — and devotion to their gods. Nearby, Nirmala tends the land as generations before her have done, but her daughter Isha dreams of something more: a city education and the promise of opportunity.

Change is coming. Outsiders arrive, bringing new crops, technologies, and visions of the future. New gods enter the valley — but their arrival comes at a cost that Nirmala and her people may not be able to pay.

The Wrong Gods is co-directed by S. Shakthidharan and Belvoir’s Resident Director Hannah Goodwin (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Never Closer). It features a stellar cast including Manali Datar (Fangirls), Nadie Kammallaweera (Counting and Cracking), and Vaishnavi Suryaprakash (Counting and Cracking, Nayika: A Dancing Girl), with set and costume design by Keerthi Subramanyam (Never Closer) and original music by Hindustani musician Sabyasachi (Rahul) Bhattacharya.

Belvoir’s Artistic Director, Eamon Flack, says:

“This is a fine play of ideas, for fine actors. With just four performers and ninety minutes, Shakthi’s storytelling expands further than ever — capturing, in a single corner of India, the vast impacts of capitalism on the world. What a writer.”

Playwright S. Shakthidharan shares:

“We’ve finally reached a moment where the community and legacy created by Counting and Cracking and The Jungle and the Sea have allowed this story to come to life at full strength. A tale set in rural India can now speak to Australian audiences just as deeply as any other.”

Co-director Hannah Goodwin adds:

“Shakthi is one of the most exciting playwrights working in Australia today. If you’re passionate about bold new theatre, this is one not to miss.”

A compelling story of tradition, hope, betrayal, and self-discovery — don’t miss this stunning new production before it travels to Arts Centre Melbourne in June.

THE WRONG GODS
Venue: Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre
Dates: 3 May – 1 June 2025
Prices: $41 – $97
Tickets: belvoir.com.au/productions/the-wrong-gods or call (02) 9699 3444