Counting and Cracking Brings a Powerful Sri Lankan Story to the London Stage.
By: Rishini Weeraratne
One of Australia's most celebrated theatrical productions, Counting and Cracking, is set to make its much-anticipated London debut in June 2027, bringing an extraordinary Sri Lankan-Australian family saga to the British stage. The internationally acclaimed production, which has captivated audiences from Sydney to New York, will be presented at Soho Theatre Walthamstow from June 15th to July 10th, 2027, as part of the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT). Presented by House of Oz in association with Soho Theatre, the Belvoir St Theatre and Kurinji co-production promises an unforgettable theatrical journey through generations of Sri Lankan history, migration, political upheaval and the deeply personal struggles of identity and belonging. Written by Sri Lankan-Australian playwright S. Shakthidharan in collaboration with Eamon Flack, who also directs the production, Counting and Cracking is far more than a family drama. It is an exploration of the ties that bind people to their heritage, the memories that travel across oceans and the difficult questions of reconciliation that remain long after political conflicts have reshaped lives.
At the heart of the story is a seemingly simple family gathering on the banks of a suburban Sydney river. Radha and her son Siddhartha have come to scatter the ashes of Radha's mother when an unexpected telephone call from Colombo opens the door to a remarkable family history. What follows is an emotional journey between Sri Lanka and Australia, spanning nearly five decades from 1956 to 2004. Through the lives of one family, the play traces the profound impact of political and social change, revealing how decisions made by one generation continue to shape the destinies of those who follow. Love, loss, displacement, family loyalty and the search for a place to call home unfold against the backdrop of Sri Lanka's turbulent history.
The production's scale is as impressive as its storytelling. Featuring nineteen performers from six countries, speaking five languages and portraying more than fifty characters, Counting and Cracking brings an extraordinary range of voices and experiences together on one stage. Performed in English, Tamil and Sinhalese, with live translation into English, the production celebrates the linguistic and cultural richness of Sri Lankan life while making its story accessible to international audiences. Since its Australian premiere, Counting and Cracking has established itself as a landmark work of contemporary theatre. Its achievements include fourteen major awards, among them the prestigious Helpmann Awards for Best Production and Best Direction. Following sold-out seasons in Sydney, the production travelled to Edinburgh and Birmingham in 2022 before earning further acclaim during its New York season in 2024. Yet beyond the awards and international recognition lies a story of deeply personal significance to its creator.
For S. Shakthidharan, whose writing draws upon the experiences of his family and community, bringing Counting and Cracking to London represents another important chapter in sharing Sri Lankan stories with the world. "At this moment in our world's history, we need stories like Counting and Cracking more than ever. Stories that remind us of our capacity to love across difference, to listen to each other's truths and to keep our democracies alive," he said. "For the story of my family and my community to be part of that conversation, and to share it with audiences in London, is something truly extraordinary." His words capture the spirit of a production that refuses to reduce complex histories to simple narratives. Instead, it invites audiences to consider different perspectives, confront inherited divisions and reflect upon the possibility of understanding across cultural and political boundaries.
Director Eamon Flack acknowledges the extraordinary ambition involved in bringing such a large and intricate production to life. With its expansive cast, multilingual performances and interwoven narratives, the play represents a considerable artistic and logistical undertaking. For Flack, however, the London venue offers an especially meaningful setting for the production. "The new Soho Theatre Walthamstow is the perfect place for it, a big, brassy new venue in the middle of one of London's great South Asia communities," he said. "Bringing new kinds of connection to life has always been the spirit of this show."
The choice of Walthamstow adds another dimension to the London premiere. In a city shaped by generations of migration and cultural exchange, the production's exploration of heritage, identity and belonging is likely to resonate particularly strongly with South Asian communities, including Sri Lankans who have built lives in Britain while maintaining connections with their homeland. For many members of the Sri Lankan diaspora, the themes explored in Counting and Cracking are more than distant historical reflections. Questions of identity, displacement, cultural inheritance and reconciliation remain closely connected to family histories and lived experiences across generations. The production also offers audiences unfamiliar with Sri Lanka an opportunity to encounter its history through the intimate experiences of ordinary people rather than through political events alone.
Georgie Black, Founder and Creative Director of House of Oz, has described bringing the production to London as a major professional ambition. For Black, Counting and Cracking embodies the transformative potential of theatre, combining emotional storytelling with a powerful examination of the politics of division.
Her enthusiasm is shared by Alessandro Babalola, Soho Theatre Walthamstow Co-Chair and Creative Associate, who has welcomed the production as an ambitious international work capable of connecting audiences across cultures, continents and generations.
The London premiere also represents a significant moment for Soho Theatre Walthamstow itself. Opened in May 2025, the venue has quickly established a reputation for ambitious programming, receiving recognition including Theatre Building of the Year at The Stage Awards. Hosting Counting and Cracking further strengthens its position as a destination for major international theatrical productions.
Another notable aspect of the London season is the involvement of Wijeya Newspapers Limited as the official Sri Lankan print and digital media partner. The partnership creates an important connection between the production, audiences in Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan communities around the world, bringing additional visibility to a theatrical work rooted in the country's history and cultural identity.
As Counting and Cracking prepares for its London debut, its continuing international journey demonstrates the growing global appetite for stories that reflect diverse histories and perspectives. Following the London engagement, the production is scheduled to return to New York in 2027. For audiences in Britain, the limited London season presents a rare opportunity to experience a production that combines the intimacy of family storytelling with the grandeur of an international theatrical epic.
The organisers have also sought to make the production accessible to a wider audience, with 1,500 tickets priced below £30 available throughout the season. Priority ticket sales open on the 12th of November 2026, followed by general ticket sales on the 16th of November.
Performances will take place at Soho Theatre Walthamstow, 186 Hoe Street, London E17 4QH. The production runs for three hours and thirty minutes, including two twenty-minute intervals, and is recommended for audiences aged fourteen and above. The press performance is scheduled for the 18th of June 2027. At a time when questions of migration, identity and cultural belonging continue to shape conversations around the world, Counting and Cracking offers a timely reminder of the power of storytelling to bridge differences and illuminate shared human experiences. For Sri Lankan audiences in particular, its arrival on the London stage represents a significant moment of cultural recognition. A story deeply connected to Sri Lanka's past and its people's journeys beyond the island will unfold before an international audience, carrying with it the voices, memories and experiences of generations. Ultimately, Counting and Cracking is not simply a story about leaving one country and beginning a new life in another. It is about the histories people carry with them, the relationships that endure across distance and time, and the possibility of finding understanding even amid the deepest divisions. As the curtain prepares to rise in London, this remarkable Sri Lankan-Australian epic stands as a testament to the enduring power of theatre to bring histories to life, connect communities and remind audiences that the stories of one family can speak to the experiences of many.
Priority ticket registration is available at: https://www.houseofoz.co.uk/cc-sign-up
S. Shakthidharan
Eamon Flack
