Khan and Salinsky

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Khan and Salinsky
OccupationPlaywrights
NationalityBritish
Notable worksCoalition, Making News, Kingmaker, Impossible, Brexit, The Gang of Three

Khan and Salinsky are a British playwriting partnership consisting of Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky. Active since the early 2010s, they are known for a series of political and historical satires staged at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and in London theatres, including Coalition (2012), Making News (2013), Kingmaker (2014–15), Impossible (2015), Brexit (2018) and The Gang of Three (2025). Their works have been reviewed in national publications including The Times , The Guardian , The Observer , The Scotsman , The Stage and The Spectator .

Contents

Background

Robert Khan

Robert Khan studied law at the University of Cambridge and the University of Southampton. He worked in public policy and government, serving for eight years as an Islington councillor and as the borough’s Arts Champion. [1] He is Chair of the Board of the King's Head Theatre. [1]

Tom Salinsky

Tom Salinsky is Artistic Director of The Spontaneity Shop. He is co-author of The Improv Handbook (Bloomsbury Methuen Drama) and has written additional books for Pen & Sword. Salinsky teaches communication and storytelling internationally. He is producer of the podcast The Guilty Feminist and co-creator and host of the film podcast Best Pick. His book Best Pick: A Journey Through Film History was published by Rowman & Littlefield. [2]

Playwriting career

Coalition (2012)

Coalition premiered at the Pleasance Dome during the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It starred Thom Tuck Reviews included:

Making News (2013)

Making News premiered at Pleasance One during the 2013 Fringe. The Times wrote that the show had "more punch than a Paxman interrogation". [7]

Kingmaker (2014–2015)

Kingmaker opened at Pleasance Beneath and later transferred to the St James Theatre and the Arts Theatre. The Times reviewed it on multiple occasions. [8] [9] The Observer discussed its exploration of political leadership. [10]

Impossible (2015)

Impossible examines the relationship between Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle. Reviews included:

Brexit (2018)

Brexit premiered at Pleasance Beyond and transferred to the King’s Head Theatre. Reviews included:

The Gang of Three (2025)

The Gang of Three premiered at the King’s Head Theatre in 2025. Reviews included:

Additional political commentary relating to themes of the play appeared in:

In the Print (2026)

In the Print, a play about the Siege of Wapping, was announced for production at the King’s Head Theatre in 2026. The production was announced by BroadwayWorld and is set to be directed by Josh Roche. [27]

Audio drama

Khan and Salinsky have written audio dramas for Big Finish Productions, including:

Selected works

YearTitleTypeVenue / PublisherNotes
2012CoalitionStage playPleasance Dome Edinburgh Festival Fringe
2013Making NewsStage playPleasance OneEdinburgh Festival Fringe
2014–15KingmakerStage playPleasance / St James Theatre / Arts TheatrePolitical satire
2015ImpossibleStage playPleasance DomeEdinburgh Festival Fringe
2018BrexitStage playPleasance Beyond / King’s Head TheatrePublished by Oberon
2025The Gang of ThreeStage playKing’s Head TheatreNational tour planned
2026In the PrintStage playKing’s Head TheatreAnnounced production

References

  1. 1 2 "King's Head Theatre appoints new chair and trustees". The Stage. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  2. Salinsky, Tom; Regan, Jessica; Dorney, John (2022). Best Pick: A Journey Through Film History. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN   978-1538163108.
  3. "Coalition at the Pleasance Dome; Election at Bedlam". The Times. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  4. Mansfield, Susan (5 August 2012). "Theatre review: Coalition, Pleasance Dome (Venue 23), Edinburgh". The Scotsman. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  5. "Coalition review". Metro. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  6. "Coalition review". Sunday Express. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  7. "Making News at the Pleasance Courtyard". The Times. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  8. "Boris is not amused by play poking fun at him". The Times. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  9. "Kingmaker at the Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh". The Times. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  10. Thorpe, Vanessa (3 May 2014). "Bumbling 'Boris Johnson figure' to star in staged leadership bid". The Observer. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  11. "Impossible review". The Scotsman. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  12. Purves, Libby (8 August 2015). "Impossible – Pleasance Queendome, Edinburgh". TheatreCat. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  13. "Impossible review". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  14. "Edinburgh Festival 2018: Best Fringe shows for Brexit satire". The Scotsman. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  15. "What we can learn about Brexit from Edinburgh's shows". The Times. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  16. "Brexit review". Daily Mail. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  17. Beattie, Terry (7 August 2018). "Razor sharp drama out of a political crisis". Daily Business Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  18. "Review: The Gang of Three at King's Head". The Stage. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  19. Lawson, Mark (7 May 2025). "The Gang of Three review – inside an old boys' club of Labour intrigue". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  20. Moore, Charles (10 May 2025). "Delightful nostalgia for political wonks: The Gang of Three, at the King's Head Theatre, reviewed". The Spectator. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  21. Baker, Richard (20 May 2025). "An 'Evocative and Compelling' Play: Richard Baker Reviews 'The Gang of Three'". The House (PoliticsHome). Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  22. "The Gang of Three – packed King's Head theatre laps up high-class political intrigue". Ham & High / Islington Gazette. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  23. "An 'Evocative and Compelling' Play: Richard Baker Reviews 'The Gang of Three'". The Reviews Hub. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  24. "The Gang of Three – packed King's Head theatre laps up high-class political intrigue". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  25. Ashenden, Robin (18 May 2025). "Why are today's MPs so incredibly drab?". The Spectator. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  26. Khan, Robert; Salinsky, Tom (29 May 2025). "British politics has lost its hinterland". UnHerd. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  27. "IN THE PRINT Comes to the King's Head Theatre". BroadwayWorld. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  28. "9/10 REVIEW: Big Finish – The Early Adventures: The Ravelli Conspiracy – A Finely-Crafted Story". Blogtor Who. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  29. Rabjohns, Matthew (17 January 2018). "REVIEW: Kingdom of Lies is a Quietly Beguiling Story". Blogtor Who. Retrieved 22 November 2025.