Daytime Deewane – a rave-fueled journey through identity, rebellion, and freedom

July 16, 2025

Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) is thrilled to present the Australian premiere of Daytime
Deewane, a bold, immersive coming-of-age experience from acclaimed and award-winning UK playwright Azan
Ahmed, running from the 16 to 25 October at the all new “Riverside Live at PHIVE” Theatre in Parramatta Square.

Step into 1997. A London daytime nightclub pulses with Bhangra beats as two cousins – one quiet, one wild – dive
headfirst into a rave that pulses with possibility. Set over a single afternoon, Daytime Deewane follows Farhan and
Sadiq as they wrestle with generational expectations, brotherhood, and what it means to be a “good Muslim boy”
and a “proper British man”. They’ve got until 6pm to figure it out.

Directed by Sepy Baghaei (Gate Theatre’s Wish You Were Here) and starring Ariyan Sharma (STC’s Dear Evan Hansen)
and Ashan Kumar (Mainstage Debut), this high-octane, deeply moving work blends spoken word and dancefloor
euphoria into a theatrical gig-night mash-up.

Playwright Azan Ahmed said, “I’m so thrilled and deeply honoured to have Daytime Deewane on at NTofP. Very
grateful to Joanne Kee and the team for believing this slice of British South Asian history can have global impact.
Looking forward to welcoming you all to the rave!”.

Director Sepy Baghaei added, “It’s very special for me to direct this story at home in Parramatta, where I was born
and raised. Azan’s writing is vibrant and vital – a fresh voice championing South Asian and Muslim perspectives with
nuance, humour and heart”.

NTofP’s Creative and Executive Producer, Joanne Kee, said, “Imagine a daytime rave, pumping Bhangra music, people
lost in the groove. Then layer on themes of family, friendship and betrayal for a turbo-charged production. Check out
our nightclub vibe for a daytime rave”.

Riverside Theatres Director, Craig McMaster added “We’re excited to present this exhilarating new work in our
innovative new venue “Live at PHIVE”! We look forward to welcoming guests from across Sydney as we continue
to support Western Sydney’s extraordinary artists and creatives in the heart of Parramatta when construction
begins on the Reimagined Riverside later this year”.

With a story rooted in British South Asian history and a soundtrack designed to get audiences on their feet, Daytime
Deewane is a celebration of culture, conflict, and joy.

PLAYWRIGHT Azan Ahmed DIRECTOR Sepy Baghaei STARRING Ariyan Sharma, Ashan Kumar COSTUME DESIGNER
Rita Naidu LIGHTING AND SET DESIGNER BROCKMAN PRODUCTION MANAGER Andrew D Potvin STAGE MANAGER
Justice Georgopoulos

DAYTIME DEEWANE:
Dates: Thursday 16 – Saturday 25 October, 2025
Location: PHIVE – 5 Parramatta Square, Parramatta NSW 2150
Tickets: https://riversideparramatta.com.au/whats-on/daytime-deewane/