Kali returns to Soho

Kali returns to Soho to present a week long showcase of readings and performances of rich and diverse new writing by Asian Women.

Seven writers bring to life an exciting and eclectic mix of stories and characters that will take you on journeys from Mumbai to Dudley, exploring sometimes taboo aspects of love, hate and partition.

King Saturn
by Nina Patel

19 November, 8pm

Mumbai, October 2003. National elections are looming. Bolaynath, a teenage boy, arrives in the city desperately looking for work. He hopes to find an honest living but ends up begging on the streets. Sent by their English church group, Ruth and her husband John have also just arrived. Bolaynaths life changes when he gets a job as their house boy but his fate becomes enmeshed in the corruption surrounding the approaching elections...

I Will Find You
by Samreen Masood

20 November, 8pm

Cities are full of people so why do we feel lonely?
Abo is on work experience in Mos TV rental shop. Old man Frank is at war with the Fried Chicken outlet downstairs. Dax needs a job, but doesnt want one. In the congested inner city, each wants the others space. History travels miles to remind Abo of what he does not know. In the process, only one character succeeds in the struggle to survive, as a brave dead chicken hangs in batter reminding all of the consequence of failure.

Another Paradise
by Sayan Kent

21 November, 8pm

Set in Leamington Spa at a time when Identity Cards are the norm and humans are qualified by their digital status as stored in the National Identity Database. The country is affluent, successful and knows everything about its citizens. It is a perfect state. But the system is buckling under its own weight; identity fraud is endemic but officially denied. Then there are those outside the law, people who arent officially recognised...
A provocative play about love, confused identity and being sent to Coventry.

A Thin Red Line
by Sonali Bhattacharyya

23 November, 8pm

Touring production in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Black Country Touring

Does partition exist in Britain now? Do others partitioned us or do we divide ourselves? A young couple return to confront the fault lines of prejudice and cultural division that had driven them away from home. This thought-provoking commission from South Bank Award Nominee, Sonali Bhattacharyya was inspired and provoked by workshops with diverse community groups using the 60th anniversary of the partition of India as a starting point. Reflecting a real slice of Black Country life, it explores todays social and cultural partitions, both visible and hidden, in the way we see other peoples loyalties, religion and sense of home.

Blind Spot
by Bushra Laskar

24 November, 6pm

Its Faizals day off and all he wants to do is relax. But the residents of Ilford have other ideas. Lucky and Reena are having a stakeout. Sol just wants to help but Parveen has just about had enough...
This thought-provoking play explores how our attitudes towards different cultures and religions have changed recently; the mere mention of religion, especially Islam, seems to make people uneasy. Paranoia is rife and formerly close-knit communities are being pulled asunder by rumours and panic. Where does one draw the line between idle gossip and reasonable suspicion?

Chess
by Sabina England

24 November, 8pm

A challenging, urgent play described by its writer as about two angry young women living in that messed up place known as the good ol USA. Theyre bored, angry and pissed off about everything. So what the f**k are they gonna do? Go have some fun, of course! Smash up, get drunk, assault pretty women. Whats more exciting than that? But on one particular day, they go too far with trying to have fun with terrible consequences

Kali Theatre
Kali encourages, develops and presents new theatre writing by Asian women. We seek out strong individual Asian women writers who challenge our perceptions through high quality, original and thought-provoking theatre. We actively encourage our writers to reinvent and reshape the theatrical agenda.

Kali presents the distinct perspective and experience of Asian women to people from all backgrounds and celebrates its richness and diversity. Kali has established a reputation for creating theatre that takes audiences on unpredictable journeys that entertain, excite and inspire.

Further info from www.kalitheatre.co.uk

Supported by Arts Council England and Bloomberg