WHAT IS THE SOUTH ASIAN PLAY READING GROUP?
Each session we will be reading a different play written by a writer of South Asian heritage. These will be a combination of new plays that are at different stages of development in addition to older legacy texts that haven’t been seen for a while and everything else in between.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet and connect with other creatives in a friendly and welcoming artistic environment. Many previous participants have gone on to write their own work which has received successful R&Ds as well as commissions, citing how useful Tara Theatre’s play reading group has been as a part of their professional journeys.
THE FORMAT
The play will be read aloud by our willing script readers, and then as a whole group we will have a lively discussion about the text. You can participate in the group as a reader, or as someone who is there to hear the text and share in the discussion.
The group will be led by Tara Theatre’s Associate Director Gavin Joseph, with a special session led by Artistic Director Natasha Kathi-Chandra.
“Wonderful play reading morning today Tara Theatre reading a few of the wonderful monologues featured in Ricky Beadle Blair’s Anthology “Lit”. Such good debate followed, chaired brilliantly by Natasha helping us think deeply about our craft. Highly recommended.”
“Highly recommend Tara Theatre South Asian play reading group, such a welcoming, open & relaxed environment to drop in, facilitated by Natasha creating any last minute changes into an opportunity for learning & good vibes plus there are snacks, free snacks people!”
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We’re looking for people to come and join the group! You don’t need any experience of theatre, or even South Asian theatre. Just an interest and an open mind to discovering something new.
SUMMER 2024 DATES
Wednesday 3 July – 12pm-2pm
New Moon by Anoushka Beazley
The play revolves around a British Hindu family, with two sisters that seem to be polar opposites and how they deal with their ailing mother in the last stages of a horrible disease. Sibling relationships can be complex and mother daughter relationships even more so. Particularly, when everyone has their own secret to hold and ‘the moon is in the tenth house’.
Portraying the very real experience of love and grief it powerfully unpacks very complicated family dynamics, expectations, regrets and resentments between these three women. Highlighting British Hindu culture and motherhood, it asks the important question of what you would do for those you love and protect and what sisterhood truly means.
Please note this session will be led by Tara Theatre Artistic Director Natasha Kathi-Chandra
This session will also be available as a hybrid in-person and online session.
Wednesday 17 July – 12pm-2pm
How to be British Asian by Dilan Tulsiani
How to Be British Asian is based on the article ‘The Problem with British Asian Cinema’ (2023) by Dilan Tulsiani published in Brown History. The play takes place in the casting room of a fictional £100 million film about the 1857 Indian Rebellion – marketed as the first critical blockbuster about British colonialism. The Writer-Director, David Rotherham (multiple award winner), and his team have made a rapid casting call for a new male and female lead, as their previous male lead Riz Ahmed has dropped out due to being cast as 007, and their female lead Indira Varma expressed ‘serious issues’ with the script, leaving the project. This is the final casting for the leads of the film and eight young South Asians have been shortlisted with two set to be the new stars. What ensues is a chaotic exploration into the contradictory hybridity of British-South Asian identity, colonial stereotypes, competitive castings and a meta-discussion on writing fictional British imperial stories.
Wednesday 31 July – 12pm-2pm
Balti Kings by Sudha Bhuchar & Shaheen Khan
In Birmingham’s Balti Land, where Indian restaurants ruthlessly compete for custom, curry wars rage with price slashing and chef poaching.
Restaurateur Yahsin Anwar is on the verge of being swallowed up by the mighty Karachi Karahi. To ward off this threat, his family plan a grand re-opening where you can pile your plate for under a fiver and ‘curryoke’ into the night. But the temperature in the kitchen soon rises, as the chef is faced with the challenge of producing 35 dishes in five hours, hampered by staff whose personal affairs are also hotting up…
Wednesday 14 August – 12pm-2pm
Borderline by Hanif Kuireshi
Written in 1981, Borderline is concerned with a group of Pakistanis trying to make a home for themselves in London. Amina, who is at the heart of the story, has to contend with her traditional parents, her liberal friends and her indecisive boyfriend. Together with other characters -Ravi, who just arrived from India, Anil, his ‘long-lost friend’ and Susan, an English journalist- Hanif Kureishi has created a finely-crafted, humorous and powerful play.
All sessions are held at Tara Theatre, 356 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4ES.
SIGN UP HERE
If you have any questions, please get in touch at gavin@taratheatre.com.