30 Monologues and Duologues for South Asian Actors

Celebrating 30 Years of Kali Theatre's South Asian Women Playwrights

Kali Theatre

• Editore: Methuen Drama
• Anno: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781350203914
• Edizione: 1
• Argomento: Media & Performing Arts
• Categoria: Theatre

Published to celebrate the 30th anniversary year of Kali Theatre this is a brand new book of 30 monologues and duologues spoken by South Asian characters to be performed by actors from a South Asian/dual heritage background in auditions, workshops and acting classes. Drawn from, or adapted from the rich collection of full-length plays by women writers of South Asian descent that Kali Theatre have developed and presented over the past 30 years, this collection is a celebratory, revolutionary and necessary addition for actors and performers. From writers such as Rukhsana Ahmad and Nessah Muthy to new writers commissioned as part of Kali's SOLOS series curated during lock-down, this anthology captures a mix of powerful and original work. This vital collection features a concise history of Kali Theatre's origins and a full list of the plays that Kali Theatre has publicly presented over the past 30 years, making it a celebratory offering from one of the UK's most inspiring theatre companies.

Productions 1991–2021

1991	Song for a Sanctuary by Rukhsana Ahmad^* Inspired by the true story of a Sikh woman murdered by her husband inside a refuge, the play is an exploration of conflicting tensions between women in the refuge. Director Rita Wolf Designer Carla Eve Aimie Lighting Alison Wheeler. Cast Kusum Haider, Jackie Cowper, Sayan Akaddas, Susan McGoun, Sanny Bharti, Simon Nagra Venues Lyric Hammersmith Autumn tour: Directors Rita Wolf and Sue Parrish. Cast Joanna Bacon, Sanny Bharti, Jackie Cowper, Jamila Massey, Simon Nagra, Rita Wolf. Venues Birmingham Rep Studio & short tour First Performance 7 October 1991 This followed an earlier reading of the play at Riverside Studios
1997	Natural World by Joyoti Grech The story follows a father and daughter as they embark on a journey of love, loss and individual identity. Director Anne Edyvean Designer Carla Evie Aimie Lighting Crin Claxton Cast Nathalie Armin, Ravin Ganatra, Nina Wadia Venues Ovalhouse, Tara Studio, Leicester Haymarket and a short tour First Performance 20 February 1997
1999	The Ecstasy by Anu Kumar Lazarus^* The play depicts the relationship between a sculptor, his model and his boyfriend. It deals with themes of love, friendship and homosexuality. & Black Shalwar by Rukhsana Ahmad (adapted from a short story by Manto). Evoking the epic romanticism of pre-Partition India, Black Shalwar is a smouldering tale about Sultana, a feisty prostitute who falls in love and starts to lose her grip on reality. Director Helena Bell Designer Sophia Lovell Smith Lighting David Lawrence Cast Ashvin Kumar Joshi, Adele Salem, Royce Ullah Venues Ovalhouse, Brentford Watermans & UK tour First Performance 4 March 1999 Produced under the joint title of Love Comes in at the Window
2000–2001	River on Fire by Rukhsana Ahmad^* Set against the Bombay riots of December 1992, this is a contemporary re-working of the ancient myth of Antigone. A young actress’s life is thrown into turmoil when tragedy strikes and she is forced to grapple with communalism. Director Helena Bell Designer Sophia Lovell Smith Lighting Flick Ansell Lyric Hammersmith Cast Ravi Aujla, Lyndam Gregory, Shiv Grewal, Shelley King, Parminder K. Nagra, Parminder Sekhon Touring Cast Ravi Aujla, Sumitra Bhagat, Lyndam Gregory, Shelley King, Rina Mahoney, Sanjit Sil Venues Lyric Hammersmith, Leicester Haymarket & UK tour First Performance 31 October 2000 Finalist, Susan Smith Blackburn International Award
2002	Singh Tangos by Bettina Gracias^* Mrs Singh has discovered the liberating effect of dancing, much to her family’s embarrassment. A sparkling comedy that playfully examines integration, modernity and tradition. Director Caroline Ward Designer David Blight Lighting Douglas Kuhrt Music Troy Banarzi Cast Siddiqua Akhtar, Imran Ali, Pooja Ghai, Kaleem Janjua Venues Riverside Studios, Derby Playhouse, Leicester Haymarket & UK tour First Performance 25 April 2002
2003	Sock ’em with Honey by Bapsi Sidhwa Tensions arise in a Parsi family when their daughter falls in love with a Jewish American man. A bittersweet comedy about love, loyalties, intercultural relationships and the need to belong. Director Janet Steel Designer Penny White Music Sayan Kent Cast Sumitra Bhagat, Gareth Clarke, Norma Dixit, Philippa Downes, Kitu Gidwani, Rohit Gokani Venues Cockpit Theatre, Leicester Haymarket & UK tour First Performance 20 March 2003
2004	Calcutta Kosher by Shelley Silas^* Set in the Indian Jewish community of Calcutta, two sisters are forced to come to terms with their mother’s secret history. This funny and moving play examines how family and culture, time and distance influence our sense of who we are. Director Janet Steel Designer Magdalen Rubalcava Lighting Flick Ansell Music Sayan Kent Cast Seema Bowri, Shelley King, Jamila Massey, Richard Santhiri, Harvey Virdi Venues Southwark Playhouse & UK tour Co-production with Tara Arts First Performance 4 February 2004 In June 2004 this production was presented by Theatre Royal Stratford East
2005	Bells by Yasmin Whittaker-Khan^* A glimpse into the seedy world of Mujra (courtesan) clubs, a centuries-old Pakistani tradition spread underground in the UK, Bells pierces the glitz and glamour to expose the pain and degradation of secret lives. Director Poonam Brah Cast Damien Asher, Marc Elliot, Shivani Ghai, Nicholas Khan, Sharona Sassoon. & Chaos by Azma Dar^* A man’s ambitions to become a local councillor are thrown into turmoil as his family reveals shocking secrets and world events spiral out of control. A dark, frantic comedy about the collapse of personal and political understanding and the disastrous consequences which follow. Director Janet Steel Cast Damian Asher, Marc Elliot, Nicholas Khan, Shelley King, Jamila Massey Designer Matthew Wright Lighting Chris Corner Music Sayan Kent Venues Southwark Playhouse, Birmingham Repertory Theatre & UK tour Chaos First Performance 16 March Bells First Performance 23 March
2006	Paper Thin by Azma Dar^* A fresh and unconventional look at the complexities of immigration. A desperate student wants an arranged marriage of convenience in order to stay in London. Director Janet Steel Designer Matthew Wright Lighting Philip Gladwell Music Sayan Kent Cast Pushpinder Chani, Shel...

Indice dei contenuti

• Cover
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Contents
• Foreword Rukhsana Ahmad, Artistic Director 1991–2002
• Foreword Janet Steel, Artistic Director 2002–2016
• Foreword Helena Bell, Artistic Director from 2016
• Kali Theatre
• Productions 1991–2021
• Monologues
• River on Fire Rukhsana Ahmad
• Another Paradise Sayan Kent
• Black-i Sharon Raizada
• Speed Iman Qureshi
• Nazma Nessah Muthy
• The Survivor Anu Kumar Lazarus
• The Girl Sonali Bhattacharyya
• The Dishonoured Aamina Ahmad
• Ready or Not Naylah Ahmed
• On Hold Veronica J. Dewan
• Dear Joe Miriam Babooram
• Cheek to Cheek Sharmila Chauhan
• Social Distancing Emteaz Hussain
• Educating Britain Alia Bano
• Me and Ed Atiha Sen Gupta
• Duologues
• Song for a Sanctuary Rukhsana Ahmad
• Calcutta Kosher Shelley Silas
• Bells Yasmin Whittaker-Khan
• Deadeye Amber Lone
• Zameen Satinder Chohan
• Gandhi and Coconuts Bettina Gracias
• Behna Sonia Likhari
• Endless Light Sayan Kent
• Mustafa Naylah Ahmed
• The Husbands Sharmila Chauhan
• The Dishonoured Aamina Ahmad
• Bitched Sharon Raizada
• Noor Azma Dar
• Sundowning Nessah Muthy
• Homing Birds Rukhsana Ahmad
• Writer Biographies
• Copyright