Tara Arts Artistic Director Abdul Shayek has died of natural causes aged 39, according to a statement from the theatre company.
The statement said, “tt is with immense sadness that we are announcing the death of Abdul Shayek, beloved artistic director and joint CEO of Tara Theatre, aged 39. We are heartbroken to share this news on behalf of his family. Abdul died at home unexpectedly, of natural causes.
"Abdul’s family and Tara Theatre respectfully request privacy and space to come to terms with our devastating loss.”
Originally from East London, Shayek took over as Artistic Director of Tara in 2020 from Jatinda Verma, who had headed the company since it was founded in 1977. Before that, he spent nine years in Cardiff, the last four running Fio, the company he founded in 2016.
He spoke to BTG Editor David Chadderton for the BTG podcast in August 2020 about his plans for the company just after his appointment had been announced.