The Semi-Circle
English Language Theatre in
Basel since 1975

Welcome to The Semi-Circle

English Language Theatre Group

The Semi-Circle is a non-profit theatre group, based in Basel. Founded in 1975, we are all amateurs and we operate entirely with volunteers. It is our aim to bring to life on stage dramatic works in the English language and to stage two productions every year for public viewing. We also hold some special events for members only, and monthly Play Readings which are open to all.

Join us for our next virtual play reading on 28th April at 19.30, when we read

East is East, by Ayub Khan Din

Contact Alison by Friday 23 April if you would like to join us

Ayub Khan Din based his debut play East Is East on his own childhood in Salford, in the north of England. Like the characters in the play, Khan Din comes from a large family with a Pakistani father and a white mother.

Set in the 1970s in Salford, the play is dominated by the character of George Khan, known as ‘Genghis’ to his six kids. George is a proud Pakistani man, but he is also volatile and, at times, violent. He’s married to Ella, a white British woman – though he has a Pakistani wife he keeps threatening to bring over to England – and together they run a chip shop.

Khan Din’s play explores the various ways the Khan children negotiate their identity as British Asians, whether through sneakily eating bacon and sausages, rejecting their father’s diktats on clothing and religion, or refusing to learn Urdu. Only Maneer is obedient, but this does not spare him his father’s violence.

East is East won the John Whiting Award in 1996 and was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 1998. It was later adapted into a feature film, with a screenplay by the author, and became one of the most successful British films ever made.

Watch our virtual play reading!!

A few weeks after the lockdown The Semi-Circle switched from real to virtual play readings and it worked!

Why not take a look at our play reading video on The Semi-Circle's brand new YouTube site. You might recognise some faces and you may even want to join us for our 2021 readings held monthly via Zoom - see our Play Reading page for details.

You can view the video here

The Semi-Circle success at FEATS 2019

The Semi-Circle team who have taken the play "Playing With Daisy" to the Festival of European Anglophone Theatrical Societies (FEATS) in Munich have come away with a record breaking three main awards.

>>> The BATS Trophy for third place overall

>>> The Grand Duchy Award for Best Stage Presentation

>>> The Marcel Huhn/Bruno Boeye Award for Stage Management

****** Heartfelt congratulations to all concerned ******

More details and photos are on our Festivals page here

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It is easy to become a member of The Semi-Circle. All ages, genders and nationalities welcome.
We ask only for your enthusiasm and a love of theatre.

Annual membership fees:

Individual: CHF 50

Family: CHF 75

Junior/Student: CHF 20

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We rely almost entirely on membership subscriptions and profits from our productions to cover our costs, so donations are always welcome. Click here for more information.

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