The Nightmares of Carlos Fuentes at the Arcola Theatre

Rashid Razaq's new play The Nightmares of Carlos Fuentes, will have its world premiere run at the Arcola Theatre in east London from 23 July to 16 August 2014.

Based on a short story by Hassan Blasim, the play follows Salim, an Iraqi refugee as he attempts to take on a new identity in London after fleeing persecution in Baghdad. He marries a wealthy older woman, who coaches and helps him prepare for his mandatory citizenship test, But Carlos Fuentes finds that the test falls short of helping him to satisfy his new wife and make him become a "Britishman". His past catches up with him, and suddenly he is at the airport waiting for a plane to take him back to Baghdad.

The production is directed by Nicolas Kent and features design by Ellan Parry, lighting by Matt Eagland and sound by Andy Graham. The cast includes Nabil Elouahabi whose theatre credits 'Love Your Soldiers' at the Sheffield Crucible, 'The Great Game: Afghanistan' for the Tricycle Theatre/US Tour, and 'Sparkleshark' at the National Theatre. Further casting is to be announced.

Playwright Rashid Razaq is a graduate of the Royal Court Theatre's Young Writer's Programme. Writing credits include 'The President and The Pakistani' based on the real-life story of Barack Obama and his illegal immigrant flatmate (Waterloo East Theatre, 2012).

The production is produced at the Arcola Theatre by Nick of Time Productions Ltd and Nabil Elouahabi.