‘The Mongol Khan’ to play at the London Coliseum

The epic Mongolian drama explores 2000 years of traditional nomadic culture. The show marks the first time a Mongolian story will be told in London.

To celebrate 60 years of Anglo-Mongolian relations, Lkhagvasuren Bavuu’s The Mongol Khan will open in London this year. The Mongol Khan runs at the London Coliseum from 17 November to 2 December.

A 70-strong company performs in a play, directed by Monoglian director Hero Baatar, that explores traditional Mongolian culture, incorporating historical events, nomadic dances, and the music of the ancient Hun culture of Central Asia. The 1988 play ran for over 100 performances in Monoglia from April 2022, and will now make its European premiere this winter.

Award-winning playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker and historian John Man have adapted a new translation of this large-scale production, which will feature as sur-titles for the London performances.

Baatar said in a statement: “The United Kingdom recognised our country's independence before any other western country and established diplomatic relations 60 years ago. The Mongolian theatre production playing in the West End for the first time is an historic event, and marks a new era in Mongolian drama."

The producers of The Mongol Khan, Esunmunkh Myagmar, Amundra Amartuvshin, Bayra Bela, join a multi-award winning creative team to adapt the London staging of the production. They include puppet designer Nick Barnes, lighting designer Mike Robertson, and sound designer David Gregory.

Book The Mongol Khan on London Theatre

Photo credit: The Mongol Khan. (Photo by Bolor-Erdene Baljinnyam)

This article was last updated with the latest announcements on 7 June 2023.