Newsletter: October 2009
The next 24 months are set to be a busy time for Tamasha with three new productions in development; a slate of new commissions emerging from our new writing programme; and the launch of Tamasha Network - an innovative professional and social networking tool for theatre artists and organisations UK-wide.
Forthcoming season
In an era where we are surrounded by the alleged polarisation of Islam and the West, two new plays written by Sudha Bhuchar explore how ordinary lives are affected by our increasingly global ties. A third new production sees Tamasha take a new direction, inspired by director Kristine Landon-Smith's recent residency at The Circus Space.
The House of Bilquis Bibi is a new adaptation of Federico García Lorca's seminal 1936 play, The House of Bernarda Alba. A story of a tyrannical widow and the control she exerts over her five stay-at-home daughters, Sudha has transported Lorca's drama to present-day Jhang, a town in Pakistan's Punjab region that is steeped in tragedy and romance.
My Name Is…, our second show in pre-production, is a story of family breakdown and media sensation. A child vanishes from her school in the UK, later to be found in Karachi. The child of a Pakistani father and a white mother, her disappearance immediately sparks global headlines of international kidnapping. But what is the truth behind these dramatic events?
Completing our new season is The Arrival, based on the graphic novel by Shaun Tan, which tells - through pictures alone - of a migrant who leaves his home to begin a new life in another country. Shaun Tan has created a fantastical world full of alien creatures, strange encounters and surreal, shape-shifting buildings, and Kristine will be working with circus artists to realise the theatrical potential of this piece.
We're delighted to announce this exciting season of new work - keep an eye on future newsletters for updates.
Satinder Chohan, Ishy Din, Em Hussain and Avaes Mohammad: we are delighted to profile four writers currently under commission by Tamasha, all of whom came to us through our new writing course. To read about these artists and their works-in-progress click here.
Also as part of our Developing Artists programme, we will be presenting a Start Night at Hampstead Theatre on Monday 14 December. Selected writers will try out short extracts of their work, with the support of a director and ensemble of actors. This is a chance for audiences to see new work at an early stage of development and contribute by providing the writers with valuable feedback. If you would like to be part of the audience, tickets priced at £5 will be available from Hampstead Theatre nearer the time.
Tamasha Network
Do you have an idea but don't know where to find the people who could help you make it happen?
Early next year, we will be launching an exciting professional and social networking tool designed with you in mind. Tamasha Network will be a place for theatre artists of all disciplines and cultural backgrounds to meet and make connections, join in debate, and hear about career development opportunities from Tamasha and the wider theatre industry.
Some of the members of the Developing Artists programme have been helping us to develop the site - we hope it will be a valuable resource for emerging artists and organisations alike. Watch this space for updates.
News from our Artistic Directors
Kristine is currently directing a new production of Tamasha's landmark East is East at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney, performing 8 – 20 October. If you're in Sydney this month, you can book tickets here.
Sudha, meanwhile, is working as dramaturg with the Tobacco Factory in Bristol and Travelling Light Theatre Company on their forthcoming Christmas show, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. You can read more about the show, including how to book tickets, here.
Elsewhere in London
Poonam Brah's new company, Theatre WaaH, presents Double Expresso, two short, sharp new plays first developed by Kali Theatre. The double bill performs at the Tristan Bates Theatre until 17 October. Click here for more details.
Meanwhile, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company will be presenting two pieces at the Southbank Centre on 21 & 22 October as part of Dance Umbrella 2009, including the world premiere of Bruise Blood featuring beatbox supremo Shlomo. Click here to read more.
Another double bill, this time from Yellow Earth Theatre who will be touring two very different plays by East Asian writers Jean Tay and Sung Rno. The tour of Boom and wAve begins at Greenwich Theatre on 21 October - click here for more details.
And finally, the latest show from Out of Joint is a fiercely funny and moving new play about youth theatre leader Trish and her attempts to unite the white and Asian young people in the Lancashire town of Burnley. Mixed Up North performs at Wilton's Music Hall in east London from 10 November. Click here to read more.
Main image: Participants on Tamasha's recent course Design Direct at RADA, August 2009. Photo: Robert Day
> Forthcoming season
> New commissions
> Tamasha Network
> In other news...
> Elsewhere in London
Tamasha gratefully acknowledges financial support from The Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust; The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust; The PRS Foundation; Awards for All (Lottery funder);
and Friends and Patrons of Tamasha.