SHIFT
A commitment to moving forward Global storytelling in the UK
SHIFT is a call-to-collective action to celebrate how global perspectives on our national narrative is vital for British theatre. It aims to redress the balance around commissioning and dramaturgical practices in the sector that have historically been nurtured through a Eurocentric lens.
Overwhelmingly, these are the parameters through which we grade excellence and ‘good art’, yet this can be limiting and demoralising for Global Majority writers who wish to explore form and subjects through the prism of their own cultural and lived experiences.
A message from Tamasha Artistic Director and Co-CEO, Pooja Ghai
In 2023, we announced a groundbreaking commitment to rebalance a Eurocentric approach to dramaturgy across the UK, funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. We are proud to announce Bristol Old Vic, Beyond Face and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry as the first organisations to join as partners as SHIFT enters the next stage of strategies.
SHIFT’s goal is to make theatre more anti-racist and accessible for Global Majority artists, and to embed long term decolonial systemic change. A call to collective action, SHIFT recognises global perspectives and form as vital to the evolution of British theatre narratives.
We all understand the limitations of several diversity policies becoming tokenistic and the importance of nurturing new models of creative work for the stage – which is at its heart artist-led. SHIFT is about creating a deeper inclusive practice and the need to decolonise current practices of commissioning, programming, and producing, which is urgent.
Over the past year, Tamasha has led a process of in-depth discovery and dialogue with theatre-makers and organisations across the UK to shape SHIFT. It was a process of discovery through conversations to better understand how we work with theatre makers, theatre professionals, organisations, and venues throughout the sector to create parity for Global Majority artists.

Tamasha’s call to action: we must decolonise the theatre sector
“As a participant I felt really held and supported in the conversation, and it was a space to imagine – something we don’t get too often.”
Artist participant, R&D roundtable discussion
It soon became clear that there is a resounding need for a network of dramaturgs who align, understand, and empathise with the cultural specificity of the stories being written; that a robust commissioning process, which is compassionate to the needs and barriers faced by Global Majority artists be explored and implemented; that audience engagement and connection with communities our theatres serve will create an invitation to the diversity of stories being explored. SHIFT will directly support Global Majority Theatre-makers through development and support, which will include dramaturgy roundtables, peer exchange opportunities with international artists, a series of workshops and labs, networking, and research and development, and bursaries.
“SHIFT is committed to crucial work in our industry – work that needs to take time and have the right support and partners to be effective, long-lasting and genuinely game-changing. We have a sector that produces overwhelmingly through a Eurocentric lens, which in its very essence both disadvantages and demoralises Global Majority artists. This is an opportunity for us to work collectively, to look at our organisational processes and how we cultivate a space where Global Majority artists can do their best work, celebrate the cultural lens and lived experiences they wish to explore and have the right dramaturgical support to do so. We are delighted to announce the first of our partners on this journey – Bristol Old Vic, Beyond Face and Coventry Belgrade are already demonstrably committed to change and willing to do the hard work needed. We look forward to the next steps of SHIFT’s journey with them, to welcoming more partners, and to making this change happen.”
Pooja Ghai – Artistic Director and Co-CEO, Tamasha

Our Partners
We are delighted to announce the first of our partners on this journey, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Beyond Face and Bristol Old Vic – companies that are already demonstrably committed to change and willing to do the hard work needed. Now, the partners will collaborate to shape and deliver SHIFT. Recruitment of further partners – organisations demonstrating a commitment to decolonising their own structures and practices – will continue.
“The aims of SHIFT align with the work we are currently doing at the Belgrade. Our vision to be a people first theatre where diversity powers storytelling makes SHIFT irresistible. We look forward to partnering with Tamasha and peers across the UK in the interest of mutual learning and to share our practice and journey. Belgrade has a history of producing work that breaks form, so we’ve done a lot of work on shifting our creative process, allowing for inclusivity and diversity to be more than just words. My focus with SHIFT is in decolonising infrastructure and systems, making truly long term, sustainable change together.”
Corey Campbell – Creative Director, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
“We are so thrilled to be partnering with Tamasha and colleagues in the South West and across the UK on SHIFT. The principles of SHIFT align so brilliantly with the way we aspire to work at Bristol Old Vic and we would like to be a part of any wave of work that begins to rewire and reframe the conversation around dramaturgical practice through a truly global lens. This is a vital changemaking initiative and the work starts here; we can’t wait to get going.”
Nancy Medina – Artistic Director, Bristol Old Vic
“We are really excited to have been asked by Tamasha to be involved in this important and vital project. What SHIFT seeks to do aligns with the values and ethos of Beyond Face’s work. As an organization, we are constantly reviewing and exploring ways in which we can continue to reframe the lens through which theatre is made and we are particularly interested in how we support the artists working in South West and their relationship to practices globally.”
Alix Harris – Artistic Director and CEO, Beyond Face

Dropping soon
TELL DEM: Series Three – a SHIFT special
Following the success of two incredible series, we are back with two new hosts, directors Gitika Buttoo and Beth Kapila who will dig deep into our ground-breaking intervention dedicated to decolonial practices in theatre: SHIFT. Very special guests will be joining them, so watch this space for more announcements.
TELL DEM is produced in partnership with Transmission Roundhouse.

