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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, The Lowry, Marlborough Productions, SICK! Festival, Unlimited.
 

 

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)

Exclusively for Second Trimester Ticket Holders

There will be two free screenings of SPERM DONARS WANTED! Before each performance of Second Trimester, starting at 7.00pm and 7:20pm. These will be first come, first served as only a limited number of places.

Synopsis

Follow Krishna Istha, a transgender performance artist, as he interviews hundreds of potential sperm donors live on stage—a quest to find the perfect connection, one that will enable him and his partner to start their family. Due to a lack of resources for trans people wanting to biologically conceive, Krishna has created a durational theatre show and through his on-stage interviews with strangers, he attempts to find the “perfect” sperm donor. The film unravels a compelling exploration of human connection and the unique dynamics of queer family-making. SPERM DONORS WANTED! invites audiences into intimate conversations, shedding light on the diverse narratives of modern family creation.

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)

Lighting Designer: Joshua Gadsby

Sound Designer: Joe Jackson (he/him)

Composer: Holly Khan (she/her)

Video Designer: IDONTLOVEYOUANYMORE – Anna (she/they) & Davi (they/them)

Movement Director: Jennifer Jackson

Creative Coder: Suzanne Hurst (she/her)

Dramaturg: Paula Varjack (she/they)

Script Dramaturg: Saraid De Silva (she/her)

Well-being Support: Sabah Choudrey (He/they)

Artist Access Support: Lottie Vallis (she/they)

Production Manager: Benji Huntrods (He/him)

Technical Stage Manager: Florian Lim (they/them)

PR Associate: Joy Parkinson (she/her)

Marketing & Branding Creative Director: Emily Drake (She/her)

Senior Producer for BAC: Oscar Owen (he/him)

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