Assad Zaman on his role in ‘The Funeral Director’

“I just thought it would be a secret I’d have to die with. And now – I think it’ll be what kills me.” Directed by Hannah Hauer-King, Iman Qureshi’s The Funeral Director is an exploration of a gay Muslim woman coming to terms with her identity.

Ayesha (Aryana Ramkhalawon) is a director of a Muslim funeral parlour. She is married to Zeyd (Assad Zaman). One day Tom walks in. He wishes to organise his boyfriend’s funeral. Informed by the values of Ayesha’s community and faith, a snap decision will have profound consequences for Ayesha. She is forced to confront a secret she herself has hidden and now Ayesha must decide who she is – no matter what the cost.

The Artiscape spoke with Assad Zaman about his role as Ayesha’s husband
Zeyd.

His theatre credits include White Teeth (Kiln Theatre), Coriolanus (RSC/Barbican), Salome (RSC), Arms and the Man (Watford Palace Theatre), A Midsummer Night¹s Dream (New Wolsey Theatre), East is East (UK tour), Behind the Beautiful Forevers (National Theatre), Beats North, Grimm Tales (Northern Stage) and Tyne (Live Theatre/Theatre Royal Newcastle). His television credits include Vera, Apple Tree Yard and Cucumber.

What appealed to Assad Zaman about performing in this play?

“I was initially really drawn to the subject [matter]” he tells us. “Exploring the journey of a couple who are thrown into a whirlwind where they must confront ideas and prejudices within themselves and each other, is what I found so exciting about this play.”

What was challenging for him in playing his character?

“Many things,” he responds. “Zeyd is a brilliantly complex character, and his relationship with his wife is a brilliantly complex one.”

“One particular challenge was finding the vulnerability in a man who is so strictly rooted to his religious morals” Zaman explains, “… and how those vulnerabilities come out when he is trying to be intimate with Ayesha.”

What does Zaman feel the audience take away from the play?

“Hopefully a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding religious politics,” he says. “The play asks tough questions that reveal a lot of grey area when it comes to why Zeyd and Ayesha make their decisions.”

Finally we asked him; Why do you feel this play is important today?

“Because thankfully we live in a multicultural society which is becoming ever more connected and so opening up a conversation like this can only bring people together” Zaman concludes.

Winner of the 2018 Papatango Award, The Funeral Director by Iman Qureshi, explores sexuality, gender and religion in a 21st-century Britain.

Presented by English Touring Theatre and Papatango, the play premièred by Papatango at Southwark Playhouse. It is currently running at the Traverse Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse, until 30 March 2019, as part of a UK tour in a co-production with ETT. Other venues include The North Wall and HOME Manchester.