Two people meet on a park bench in Central London, and an unlikely friendship blooms. Ali is struggling with their traditional South Asian family’s lukewarm acceptance of their sexuality, sitting on a new development that could change things forever. Shanta is a beloved auntie full of energy, but the loss of her husband and an estranged daughter leaves her alone in a busy city full of life. As Ali and Shanta learn about each other, their experiences and striking chemistry heal old wounds and help them grow into the people they were afraid to become.
“Life’s too short to hold grudges and plant flags in the ground demanding tradition, all that matters is the connections we have and making sure we maintain them no matter what.”
Producers of critically acclaimed shows ‘A Splash of Milk’ and ‘Naughty’ across the UK, PinkMilk Theatre are thrilled to bring a new show to London audiences which celebrates intersectionality in the queer community.
We caught up writer and cast member Sami Sumaria (they/them) to learn more about the show.
What can you tell me about Foxes?
FOXES is set in London, following a queer South Asian person, Ali, coming to terms with their queer identity and forming an unlikely friendship with an older South Asian woman, Shanta, who herself is estranged from her queer daughter. As Ali and Shanta learn about each other, their experiences and striking chemistry heal old wounds and help them grow into the people they were afraid to become.
FOXES is set in London, following a queer South Asian person, Ali, coming to terms with their queer identity and forming an unlikely friendship with an older South Asian woman, Shanta, who herself is estranged from her queer daughter. As Ali and Shanta learn about each other, their experiences and striking chemistry heal old wounds and help them grow into the people they were afraid to become.
What inspired you to write this play?
Over the years I have personally had difficulties in my queer and cultural identity, struggling to merge the two and even struggling to accept myself. I wanted to write this play to explore that, but also the other side of the coin. What is it like to have a queer child which, to you, is a curve ball in what you expect for your child and their future?
Ali's struggle with family acceptance is poignant. How did you approach this theme?
Whilst I am pulling from personal experience, and that of people I have known, it was important to approach this from a sense of naivety and eventual growth. As with all of us, over time we learn about ourselves, how we react to people and how people react to us, and for me it was important to layer that into what could have just been a 2 dimensional portrayal of someone who is very against their family for not accepting them. There is complexity and nuance to the theme which I hope to portray in both characters' journeys.
Whilst I am pulling from personal experience, and that of people I have known, it was important to approach this from a sense of naivety and eventual growth. As with all of us, over time we learn about ourselves, how we react to people and how people react to us, and for me it was important to layer that into what could have just been a 2 dimensional portrayal of someone who is very against their family for not accepting them. There is complexity and nuance to the theme which I hope to portray in both characters' journeys.
Shanta is described as full of energy but also grappling with loss. How did you balance these two sides of her character?
Shanta is an interesting character that is almost a case study of a few people I have known over the years. She is a portrayal of some of the most incredible, strong and powerful women I have had the privilege to know over my life. I think that strength, which only comes with time and experience, is key in being able to deal with loss whilst putting on a strong, charismatic front. This can be for better or worse, as putting on a front is sometimes detrimental to dealing with the simmering feelings that lie beneath.
Shanta is an interesting character that is almost a case study of a few people I have known over the years. She is a portrayal of some of the most incredible, strong and powerful women I have had the privilege to know over my life. I think that strength, which only comes with time and experience, is key in being able to deal with loss whilst putting on a strong, charismatic front. This can be for better or worse, as putting on a front is sometimes detrimental to dealing with the simmering feelings that lie beneath.
How do you approach writing a piece as well as playing one of the characters?
It’s really important to detach yourself as the writer when it comes to playing a character in your own work, which is much easier said than done! I’m a writer who never truly believes the work is done (much to friends and producers dismay) so being able to really pull away from that has been difficult! Being able to separate yourself from different roles in creating a piece of theatre, if you are to do different roles, is so important for yourself, the work and the final product.
It’s really important to detach yourself as the writer when it comes to playing a character in your own work, which is much easier said than done! I’m a writer who never truly believes the work is done (much to friends and producers dismay) so being able to really pull away from that has been difficult! Being able to separate yourself from different roles in creating a piece of theatre, if you are to do different roles, is so important for yourself, the work and the final product.
Pink Milk Theatre is known for celebrating intersectionality. How does this play fit into that mission?
If anything, I think this could be our most intersectional work yet. FOXES is a study of what it means to throw away preconceptions and judgement of other people and just get to know them on a base, human level. The intersectionality of queer identity and South Asian culture, religion and identity has existed for centuries, and this play is a hyperfocused exploration of this in the west between traditional values and what it's like being brought up British South Asian.
You have many strings to your bow including writing, performing, a drag clown, stand up comedy and more. How do you balance your creative outlet?
I am terrible for balance, something I’ve learnt about myself is I really need to limit myself when it comes to being creative. I am a very chaotic ideas person, and am always eager to jump on an idea. What I’ve learnt over the years is to always write an idea down when it comes, it doesn’t matter if that idea is good, or if you’re going to act on it immediately, just write it down. I’ve also, reluctantly, learnt to pace myself. Focusing on a limited number of full projects at a time, I’m a regular patron of the burnout hotel, and that is not healthy!
I am terrible for balance, something I’ve learnt about myself is I really need to limit myself when it comes to being creative. I am a very chaotic ideas person, and am always eager to jump on an idea. What I’ve learnt over the years is to always write an idea down when it comes, it doesn’t matter if that idea is good, or if you’re going to act on it immediately, just write it down. I’ve also, reluctantly, learnt to pace myself. Focusing on a limited number of full projects at a time, I’m a regular patron of the burnout hotel, and that is not healthy!
What was the first piece of theatre that had a big impact on you?
It may be a bit cliché, but when I was around 9 or 10, I remember going to see the Lion King in the West End and being in awe of the spectacle. The level of production, the world that was built using stagecraft and the immersion was like nothing else I’d ever experienced. I don’t think I truly realised it then, but it definitely sparked something within me, and has led to where I am today.
It may be a bit cliché, but when I was around 9 or 10, I remember going to see the Lion King in the West End and being in awe of the spectacle. The level of production, the world that was built using stagecraft and the immersion was like nothing else I’d ever experienced. I don’t think I truly realised it then, but it definitely sparked something within me, and has led to where I am today.
What keeps you inspired?
Stories, in all their forms. I am always so hungry for stories. My favourite hobby is just consuming stories. I love books, audiobooks, movies, tv shows, theatre, performance art, music, honestly any form of storytelling. I thrive off of stories and these keep me inspired to find and tell more. There are stories all around us, all the time, being told by just existing. All you need to do is listen.
What do you hope someone takes away from seeing Foxes?
The main thing I want people to take away from FOXES is that despite everything, despite fears and preconceptions, we are all people. If you break down walls and barriers, you’d be surprised at how well we can all get on. Without listening to others, without really understanding other people and viewpoints, we’ll never be able to form bonds that could enrich our lives in so many ways.
Foxes will play at The Hope Theatre in Islington, London on 26th and 27th January 2026. Tickets are available from https://www.thehopetheatre.com/foxes
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