SOUTH ASIAN SHOWS AT THE LOWRY January - April 2006
There is cutting edge drama and traditional forms of music and dance to tempt anyone with an interest in the arts of Asia and the Middle East. 1001 Nights Now is a feast of storytelling with new tales from leading writers including comic Shazia Mirza. Set in a Christmas decorations factory, a group of migrant workers congregate to tell stories of hope, despair and humour through their own words and mythical fables.
Milapfest continue to present the best in South Asian performing arts with Tears of Fire using an innovative mix of dance, drama and visual projections to uncover the truth’s of many women’s lives. More traditional music and dance comes courtesy of Chakra Ensemble and the return of Nritya Sandhya.
• 1001 Nights Now
Tue 7 – Sat 11 February
• Chitraleka Dance Company - Tears of Fire
Sun 19 February
• Chakra Ensemble
Sun 19 March
• Nritya Sandhya – An Evening of Dance
Sun 23 April
Tue 7 – Sat 11 February
Northern Stage, Nottingham Playhouse & Albany London
1001 Nights Now
Sometimes we tell stories to entertain, sometimes we tell stories to explain who we are and sometimes we tell stories to survive. Somewhere in contemporary Britain, in a factory making Christmas decorations, a group of migrant workers sustain one another by telling stories. By turn, the stories are moving, brutal or hilarious. In all of them, the flames of hope, passion and identity burn bright. Based on an original concept by The Betty Nansen Theatre, Copenhagen, as part of its Projekt de Andres Tanker and written by nine outstanding writers from the Middle East, 1001 Nights Now features some of the UK’s leading Middle Eastern and Asian performers, including award-winning comedian Shazia Mirza, whose credits include Have I Got News For You and The Vagina Monologues.
Most suitable for ages 16+.
Times Eves 7pm, Thu mat 1.30pm
Tickets £12 - £16
Thu 9 February
Open Workshop
The workshop will draw on storytelling techniques used in the rehearsal process, giving a unique insight into the creation of the production.
Capacity 20
Times 10am – 12pm
Tickets £3
Venue The Studio
Thu 9 February
Post Show Talk eve
Meet members of the cast, discuss the ideas explored in the production and hear about the performers' experiences of creating the show.
Free to ticket holders
Venue Quays Theatre
Sun 19 February
Chitraleka Dance Company
Tears of Fire
Draupadi has done everything expected of her. But when she lets her heart and mind speak for themselves, the consequences are apocalyptic. Based on the story of the enigmatic and fiery princess from the epic Mahabharata, Chitraleka’s latest creation captures the truth of many women’s lives, past and present, through a searing mix of dance, theatre, live music and digital projections.
Times 7pm
Tickets £12, Under 16s £6
Sun 19 March
Chakra Ensemble
A stunning world music ensemble of maestro musicians from the North and South Indian music traditions, making its first UK tour. Chakra Ensemble is performed by Tejendra Narayan Majumdar on sarod*, Dr Mysore M Manjunath on violin, Subhankar Banerjee on tabla** and Arjun Kumar on mridangam***. The ensemble has received critical acclaim for its Sense World Music CD release, Bhava.
Times 7pm
Tickets £12, Under 16s £6
Sun 23 April
Nritya Sandhya – An Evening of Dance
An evening of exquisite Bharatnatyam* dance with Mythili Prakash, a dynamic young artist who displays the beauty, grandeur and eternal relevance of this ancient art form. Mythili Prakash is considered one of the most accomplished young Bharatanatyam dancers in the world today. She was hailed a child prodigy on her solo debut at age eight and since then has performed extensively in the UK and USA. * Bharatanatyam is an ancient classical temple dance from South India.
Times 7pm
Tickets £10, Under 16s £5
Posted on Tuesday, 01 November 2005 under Press Theatre Press