Dial 1 for UK will arrive at Derby Theatre on Saturday 1 November, and follows New Delhi call centre worker Uday Kumar (UK), who by night answers panicked calls to a crypto helpline, and by day fills his YouTube channel with visions of a sophisticated new life of affluence, fish and chips and tea with the British Royal Family. When a chance encounter offers him the opportunity to make the leap; he boards a flight to London brimming with hope for a glittering new life. But the reality of daily existence in Hounslow as an immigrant care worker proves starkly different from the dream he nurtured in India as he navigates racism, broken promises of long-term accommodation, people trafficking and loneliness. Dial 1 for UK shines a light on the challenges and realities of migration with humour, heart and hope.
Mohit said: “”Dial 1 for UK is my way of holding up a mirror to the dream of migration, the fantasy of life in the West, and the reality that so many of us face when we arrive. The grass is not always greener on the other side, but we still make the decision every day to be here and contribute. It’s funny, painful, and deeply personal. I want South Asian audiences to see themselves on stage, but I also want all audiences to question how we treat those who come here in search of a better life.“
The show was developed as part of the Vital Xposure Deaf, Disabled, Neurodivergent writing program and had its showcase at Soho Theatre in February 2024. Early development was supported by Riverside Studios, who provided space to explore its themes in their Bitesize Festival, and by Leo Baccia from Barons Court Theatre, who hosted a work-in-progress sharing in May 2024. Dial 1 for UK played at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe with support from Keep It Fringe at Greenside to critical acclaim.
Mohit Mathur is a neurodivergent Indian actor, dancer and theatre maker and has performed extensively in the West End in the UK, including Life of Pi at Wyndham’s Theatre and international tour. He is a part of the Flute Theatre Acting Company in the UK, a project aiming at pushing the boundaries of performing Shakespeare to audiences and participants with autism. Recently he performed in the Craiova International Shakespeare Festival and in Serbia with their main stage show of Midsummer Night’s Dream. He has worked as a consultant and dance captain with Welsh National Opera’s new opera Migrations, which explored the topic of Indian migrant doctors in the UK in the 1970s.
Phil Willmott is a highly regarded British director, playwright, composer, dramaturg, and arts journalist known for his versatility in theatre. His work spans classical and modern plays, musical theatre, and new writings. He has a reputation for directing both well-known classics and innovative productions, often with an international perspective. Notably, he is also a former co-head of musical theatre training at ArtsEd, one of the UK’s prominent drama schools. As an award-winning theatre maker, Phil has been particularly influential in London’s theatre scene and has directed numerous productions across different genres.
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