In a surrogacy clinic in Gujarat, India, three women meet. Eva, from London, is facing her last chance for motherhood, but for village girl Aditi, who is a dairy worker and single mother, surrogacy is a lifeline out of poverty and a chance for to give her own daughters a better chance in life. For clinic owner and businesswoman Dr Gupta, it’s all just yet another transaction. However, is it really that simple?

Redbridge Drama Centre, in South Woodford, is exploring the sensitive subject of surrogacy in its latest production, Made In India.

Playwright Satinder Chohan, who also wrote Zameen in 2008 and KabaddiKabaddiKabbadi in 2012, was inspired to write her latest play after India was dubbed the world’s “surrogacy hub”.

It is one of a handful of countries that legally offer commercial surrogacy to parents overseas, despite the industry not being fully regulated.

The industry is also estimated to be worth over £1.5million, with surrogates themselves stated as being able to earn up to £6000.

In 2016, a change to the law was drafted so that surrogacy would become legal only to heterosexual Indian couples married for five years.

This change affected Satinder’s work and she had to make a few last minute rewrites of the play before it set off on tour and the effects of the ban features a great deal throughout the story now.

Director Katie Posner, who grew up in Pinner, wanted to get involved in the Tamasha Theatre Company’s production, as she felt it delved into the commodification side of surrogacy and explored the idea that money is valued higher than morals.

The 37-year-old, who studied acting at the University of Hertfordshire, chose to pursue directing after spending a few years as the head of A-level drama at the Amersham and Wycombe College. Some of her credits include, Wind in the Willows at York Theatre Royal, The Bang Gang at the Northumberland Theatre Company and My Funny Valentine at Live Theatre.

She explains why she wanted to draw attention to such a huge issue happening in the world…

Katie says: “I think it is a very powerful and politically current show, as surrogacy is a real life issue that is not talked about enough.

“You don’t realise that some people in these parts of the world are reliant on it, as it provides an income and a means for their children to go to school and live a bit of a better life.

“The cast is made up of three women who are extraordinary and fantastic actresses, which adds to the poignant theme.”

She adds that she is glad she got involved in the play, as she has received a huge positive response, particularly from old school friends in Harrow, an area of London where there are large British-Indian communities.

Katie says: “I have always been intrigued by the work of Tamasha and did not hesitate when I was asked to come on-board.

“I read the script for this show and was blown away by the incredible subject matter, especially as it was made up of strong female characters.

“I felt a big responsibility when I took it on, as it reflects the world we live in, especially with women having their abortion rights taken away from them by President Donald Trump in America.”

2017 is set to be a year filled with exploring issues relating to women, as Katie’s next project will look at the York Suffragettes, who fought to give females the right to vote in the early twentieth century.

She says: “It is a bit of a feminist year for me, as I’m focusing on women’s rights, but it has made me feel like anything is possible.

“So much is changing in the world this year and it just feels like the issues that may have once been a part of history are now suddenly very relevant again.”

Made In India, Redbridge Drama Centre, Churchfields, South Woodford, E18 2RB, Tuesday, February 28, 8pm, details: 020 8708 8800, redbridgedramacentre.co.uk