Rukhsati is a one-act play by Saqib Deshmukh that unfolds in an empty, disused women’s toilet in a wedding hall in Tooting. The narrative centres around two characters, Nighat and Tariq, who are in their mid-forties and reconnect after years apart. As they reminisce about their youth, the conversation reveals their struggles with personal choices, societal expectations, and the passage of time. Nighat expresses her feelings of being trapped in her current life, particularly regarding her inability to have children, while Tariq grapples with his responsibilities as a father and husband. As they navigate their emotions, the tension builds, leading to a moment of vulnerability where Tariq hints at a desire to rekindle their past romance, complicating their already fraught situation.

Rukhsati is about love, life and lotas… A seriously funny two-hander based in Tooting which is being staged as part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe/Wandswoth Borough of Culture 2025 in partnership with Theatre503.

To book: https://theatre503.com/whats-on/rukhsati/

Insaafi CIC is a collective of Asian, African and Dual Heritage individuals working in Wandsworth with roots in Pakistani, Nigerian and Caribbean communities in Cardiff, Manchester and other parts of South London.

Our aim is to develop creative solutions to issues of discrimination and injustice and address the lack of understanding about shared histories and hidden narratives, through creative project management and consultancy services that includes research, mapping, training, and archival work. Our activities consist of meetings, training sessions and events such as conferences and plays.