Iman Akhtar admits challenge of playing Stage Role

Iman Akhtar admitted that her stage role in When Mountains Meet was a challenge.

The actress is currently starring in the production as the Scottish violinist and composer Anne Wood.

When Mountains Meet is based on the true story of Anne, who met her Pakistani father for the first time in her twenties.

However, not only was Anne alive at the time of the production, but she was performing alongside Iman.

Delving into the challenge of undertaking such a performance, Iman Akhtar shared:

“It’s completely nerve-wracking.

“Most times, as an actor, you are playing someone completely fictional, who has been made up in the writer’s brain.

“This feels like a huge responsibility.

“It is such a fun, uplifting show, beautifully merging different cultures, and the live music is stunning.

“Anne has been so kind and generous, she has kept me on track.

“It’s actually a huge privilege to have the person you are playing so within reach.

“It has also made me think about my own identity, my own journey – how all things in life, no matter how small, can shape you.”

Anne Wood added: “When Mountains Meet grew out of my wish to share the incredible journey I had getting to know my dad and his country.

“He didn’t know I had been born, but replied quickly to my tentative letter introducing myself, completely accepting me into his life as we developed a fiery but loving father-daughter relationship.

“There were physical journeys between Scotland to Pakistan, but also powerful emotional journeys on both sides.

“More than 30 years later, I feel ready to share this story.”

When Mountains Meet included a diverse array of performers, as well as a vibrant display of English, Gaelic and Hindustani vocals.

Iman Akhtar also spoke about her acting roots.

She explained: “I did school shows and joined my local youth theatre group, Harlequin, which was the best informal training I could have had.

“I understood why, it was coming from a place of care.”

“They wanted me to understand how important it was to have a reliable income.

“And it can be very difficult in the arts.

“So, I did a degree in physiotherapy, and once I graduated – during the pandemic, not ideal – my parents said, ‘Okay, you can do what you want now’.”

Iman Akhtar went on to feature in a variety of theatre performances and also dabbled in work in front of the camera.