A new theatre project explores the issue of homosexuality within the Asian community.

'Beneath the Surface' about British Asian gay lives, led by Bobby Tiwana; is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

The project uses community participation techniques to develop awareness and live performance to increase visibility of British Asian gay lives.

During the past two months, 10 interviews have been conducted with people across England providing them with the opportunity to tell their story.

The interviews will be used to inspire and inform the creation of a new theatre narrative. The creative team includes: Carl Miller as writer; Steve Johnstone and Kate Chapman as joint directors, and Bobby Tiwana as producer.

The project was inspired by a trip to India in 2011 by Bobby Tiwana, with his male partner, an Indian residing in the UK, when they visited a gay men's group in Bangalore.

"It was emancipatory: the first time that both of us had been in a room full of Indian gay men. Most of the men were out and living their lives, some in relationships and yet they were still close to their parents, rather than disowned by them," said Bobby.

On returning home and after reflection about his own experience and that of his British Asian peers, many of whom remain hidden, he decided to do something about this and the project was borne.

Last month a 'call out' for interviewees attracted an overwhelming response, more than the project needed or could satisfy presently.

Bobby said, "People wanted to talk, to share; wanted others to learn from their experiences. Most were frustrated with the status quo, of the very hidden nature of Asian homosexuality, and wanted to see things change and the younger generation especially believed that this was possible."

Scratching at the surface threw up so many interesting and diverse lives, beyond the stereotypes: the gay (British) Pakistani footballer more familiar with racism than homophobia; the 19-year old (British) Bangladeshi Muslim lesbian in hijab (headscarf) with a liking for blonde women; and the (British) Indian Sikh woman raising two children with a (British) Pakistani woman, her partner of 14-years.

"Such lives are unheard of amongst communities, certainly not discussed openly and never depicted in culture," added Bobby.

Creative group discussion workshops are planned this year with different communities across England to explore people's attitudes towards sexual difference.

This will be achieved through using character monologues (based on the interviews) as provocations. These workshop discussions will inform the content and trajectory of the narrative.

Bobby said that community participation is integral to the development of the theatre production, "It's about taking a project community on a journey, be it interviewees, workshop participants, online through the project blog and even growing awareness through the media." He believes that by the time the theatre production is ready that there should be a modest and growing audience for the work, originating from the project's centre.

The end result is intended for gay, heterosexual, Asian and wider audiences: "Good drama transcends such divisions."

In addition to raising money so that the theatre production can be fully realised and engage with audiences, he is also trying to identify appropriate partners to maximise the learning, training and archive potential of the material gathered; and to appropriately celebrate and profile the lives of the respondents more directly.