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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, 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)
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Exclusively for Second Trimester Ticket Holders

There will be two free screenings of SPERM DONORS WANTED! Before each performance of Second Trimester, starting at 7.00pm and 7:20pm. These will be first come, first served as there are 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

Director: Milli Bhatia

Creative Producer: Ruby Glaskin

Creative Coder: Suzanna Hurst

Video Designer: idontloveyouanymore - Anna West & Davi Callanan

Dramaturg: Paula Varjack

Set & Costume Designer: Ting - Huan 挺歡 Christine Urquhart

Lighting Designer: Joshua Gadsby

Sound Designer: Joe Jackson

Sound Designer & Composition: XANA

Theme Composition: Holly Khan

Movement Director: Jennifer Jackson

Associate Movement Director: Gabriella Schmidt

Production Manager: Benji Huntrods

Technical Stage Manager: Florian Lim

Design Associate: Moa Johansson

Narrator: Shivam Gupta 

Script Dramaturg: Saraid de Silva

Outside Eye: Emma McManus

Wellbeing Support: Sabah Choudrey

Artist Access Support: Lottie Vallis

Pregnancy Support: Josefeen Foxten

Hair & Make Up Support: Rachel Porter

Voice Coach: Gurkiran Kaur

BSL Support: Deepa Shastri 

PR Associate: Joy Parkinson

Marketing & Branding Creative Director: Emily Drake

Graphics & Brand Design: Rob Wallace, Josh Quinton, Logan Rea

Audience Connectors: Gayithiri Kamalakan & Jamie Locke

Senior Producer for BAC: Oscar Owen

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