Prayas presents THALI – A THEATRICAL PLATTER OF SHORT PLAYS Directed by – Ahi Karunaharan with Monica Mahendru

From the company that brought you last year’s critically acclaimed production of Rudali-The Mourner local Indian theatre company Prayas presents Thali. – A sizzling platter of short plays to enjoy as part of the Auckland Fringe Festival at TAPAC Performing Arts Centre, 3-8 March 2013.

Like the fragrant mix of spices, aromas and flavours that make up a Thali (an Indian meal made up of various dishes) Prayas’ latest theatrical feast is an eclectic mix of four plays by emerging and established Indian playwrights served on a single plate.

Balti Kings by Sudha Bhuchar and Shaheen Khan peeks into the lives of the luckless wage-slaves of the kitchen as they prepare for one epic showdown of a night. Prayas welcomes you to the world of Balti, where Indian restaurants ruthlessly compete for custom, curry wars rage with price slashing, chef poaching and recipe stealing, while you pile your plate high with scrumptious delicacies. Originally set in Birmingham, England Prayas have adapted this spit fire of a play to Auckland’s booming Indian cuisine scene.

My Name is Cine-Ma by Mathivanan Rajendran is an award winning play set in a small town in South India where people make film reels and recycle old ones. In this mountain of Celluloid where everyone is named after a Bollywood star, a young girl skips school to learn her life lessons from movies. She comes now to give you a lesson or two on the lure of Indian Cine-ma.

P James for President by Nikhil Sriram draws you into a world of illusions, magic and politics as the mysterious P James and his trusty sidekicks pull out all the tricks in the bag to win the campaign for P James for President. The president has always been seen as a person who shies away from the public glare…but P James is used to the spotlight, in fact it is only when the light is on that he truly revels in his life. What will be his first act as President?

Through The Grapevine by Sananda Chatterjee is a tale of two incredible women in two iconic eras who changed the fates of many men with two history shaping texts. This is the full story.

Breaking away from the full length format, Thali directed by Ahi Karunaharan (The Mourning After, Public Service Announcements) with Monica Mahendru (Rudali-The Mourner, Short+Sweet 2012), will allow audiences to savour a new Prayas experience.

Prayas produces original Indian theatre in English for the wider audience of New Zealand – to share, integrate with and enhance the cultural mosaic of Aotearoa. It is a non-profit theatre company, has a six year record of plays to its name and involves cast and crew of multiple ethnicities. Prayas is the only cultural group to partake in Auckland Fringe Festival 2013.

‘pulsating energy…New Zealand’s leading Indian Theatre Company’ – Theatreview

Auckland Fringe runs from 15 February-10 March 2013. For more Auckland Fringe information go to www.aucklandfringe.co.nz