Hannah Kumari

Hannah is a writer, director and former actor from Warwickshire, now based in South East London. Hannah trained at renowned arts institution Bretton Hall. Her work considers themes of mixed heritage identity, addiction and the intersection between class and race, often through the lens of football. 

Hannah most recently wrote a new English version of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi for OperaUpClose’s acclaimed 2026 touring production, with her libretto described as ‘contemporary and genuinely funny’ by The Times. Her previous play Sophia, about the life of Suffragette Sophia Duleep Singh, was commissioned by Eastern Angles Theatre Company and toured to over 30 venues across East Anglia between March and May 2025, including sold out shows at Norwich Playhouse and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. Hannah is currently developing an original, large-scale opera, planned to premiere in 2027. 

Hannah’s debut short film, Devi, which she also starred in was commissioned and broadcast by Sky Arts in 2022. Hannah has written one episode of new TV show Armour for DeCantillon films, about the struggles of a closeted gay premier league footballer and black female football manager.  

Hannah’s celebrated one woman show ENG-ER-LAND, which she wrote and performed, toured to over 30 venues between June 2021 and August 2023. Inspired by Hannah’s experiences as a teenage football fan of mixed heritage growing up in the late 90s, she appeared on Sky Sports, BBC Newsnight, TalkSport, BBC Sportshour and numerous podcasts to talk about the show. ENG-ER-LAND was nominated for Best Stage Production at the 2022 Asian Media Awards.

As an Assistant/Associate Director, Hannah's credits include the opera Gods of the Game for Sky Arts and Secret Cinema's Grease at the NEC Birmingham. 

A lifelong football fan, Hannah also manages the Fans for Diversity campaign at The Football Supporters’ Association.