Sudha Bhuchar Knihy

Touchstone Tales is a unique collection of revealing and illuminating stories of Lutonians, seen through the prism of touch. Originally a Revoluton Arts/Wellcome collection co-commission, it is part of Wellcome's national arts partnership programme and is an artist response to 'The Touch Test', Wellcome's study on the role that touch plays in the lives and well-being of people. Written by award-winning author Sudha Bhuchar, the play explores the theme of touch through a collection of fictional self-portrait monologues and a dualogue, directly inspired by creative encounters with mainly the British Muslim South Asian communities in Bury Park, Luton.

When his fingers slip away from his father's hand, one boy's destiny changes forever. In the chaos of border crossing between India and the newly formed Pakistan, a small boy called Pali suddenly finds himself lost and alone. Taken in to a Muslim family he is given a new name, and a new faith - Islam.

The book delves into the historical interplay between theatre and societal crises, highlighting how stage plays have served as a medium for exploring contemporary challenges and predicting future events. It examines the role of live theatre from ancient Greek times to the present, illustrating how audiences have sought understanding and insight during turbulent political, social, and economic periods. This collection invites readers to reflect on the questions raised by theatre in the face of uncertainty.