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Second Trimester

Second Trimester

Wed 27 May 2026 and Thu 28 May 2026
By Krishna Istha & Geetha Shankar
Directed by Milli Bhatia  
 
Four years ago, Krishna told his mum he was trying to get pregnant and she freaked out. Like, massively freaked out. Krishna didn’t know why. It’s rare for a fight between them to end in tears. But this one did. . .  and for good reason.
 
Love triangles. Missing people. A pregnant son.
 
In Second Trimester, trans performance artist Krishna Istha and his mother, Geetha Shankar, confront pregnancy, loss, gender, and the weight of inherited memories in this cinematic, Bollywood-inspired epic family saga.
 
One Stage. Two Generations. Endless Drama. Based on a true story, Second Trimester asks: how well can you ever really know your parents?
 
The anticipated second show in a trilogy of work, following the critically acclaimed 'First Trimester'.
 
A Making Waves Major Commission by Battersea Arts Centre. Made possible with funding by Arts Council England and Cockayne 10th Anniversary Grants for the Arts. Additionally Commissioned by Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, Cambridge Junction, Lowry, Marlborough Productions, SICK! Festival.
 

 

Reviews

★★★★★ ‘Addictive’ - What's on Stage
 
★★★★ ‘An antidote of the age’ - Irish Times

Additional Information

  • Age Recommendation: 18+  
  • Content Warning: Haze, Loud music, Flashing lights. References to child loss, transphobia and racism. (Guidance subject to change)

Credits

Lead Artist & Writer: Krishna Istha (he/they) 
Performer & Co-Creator: Geetha Shankar (she/her) 
Director: Milli Bhatia (she/her) 
Creative producer: Ruby Glaskin (she/her) 
Set & Costume Designer: Ting - Huan 挺歡 Christeene Urquhart (she/her) 
Sound Designer: Joe Jackson (he/him)
Lighting Designer - Joshua Gadsby
Composer; Holly Khan (she/her) 
Video Designer: IDONTLOVEYOUANYMORE - Anna (she/they) & Davi (they/them) 
Creative Coder: Suzanne Hurst (she/her) 
Dramaturg: Paula Varjack (she/they) 
Script Dramaturg: Saraid De Silva (she/her) 
Movement Direction: Jennifer Jackson (she/her) 
Creative Coder: Suzanne Hurst (she/her) 
Well-being Support: Sabah Choudrey (He/they) 
Artist Access Support: Lottie Vallis (she/her) 
Marketing & Branding Creative Director: Emily Drake (She/her) 
Access Consultant: Quiplash 
Production Manager: Benji Huntrods (He/him) 
Technical Stage Manager: Florian Lim (they/them) 
PR Associate: Joy Parkinson (she/her) 

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