Why we need to have an Asian theatre archive in the UK…
By Suman Bhuchar
I have been involved in the UK theatre sector for a long time beginning as an actor initially at Tara Arts under the leadership of Jatinder Verma (now called Tara Theatre). As a second generation British Asian together with my peers we wanted to see ourselves represented and reflected on the stage – in terms of our stories, our colonial histories and our creative talent.
Courtesy of National Theatre
Fast forward, I moved on as an actor, but a passion for theatre was ignited. What is not much known is that British South Asian theatre in the UK is over a century old and yet there is no discernible archive and only fractured knowledge of the narrative, so this area needs to be documented or knowledge of this work may be erased.
So together with the University of Exeter, I am presenting two free public events to share knowledge, showcase excerpts from plays produced during the 1980s to 2010s in order to invite more readings, advocacy and revisiting plays that had a great presence and impact. This is part of our artistic history in the UK.
As part of A Season of Bangla Drama, I will be sharing my personal theatre journey as well as having a discussion with Professor of Performance Jerri Daboo, University of Exeter and Rianna Simons, Black Plays Archive Coordinator, Archive, National Theatre who will share reflections on this area.
This will be followed up An evening of Play Readings showcasing excerpts of four plays which had great impact.
pic:Richard Mildenhall
These are ‘Miti Gi Kadi’ or ‘The Little Clay Cart’ by Shudraka adapted by Jatinder Verma and produced by Tara Arts. It was first performed in 1984, with a remount in 1986, and later at the National Theatre in 1991/2 (this version was co-written with Ranjit Bolt). The original play was written between the 7th and 8th century and is ascribed to King Shudraka.
‘Mrcchakatika’ – ‘The Little Clay Cart‘ centres on the merchant Charudatta whose incredible virtue has led him into poverty, but also won the heart of the rich and beautiful courtesan Vasantasena. However, she is pursued by the lustful brother in law of the king. It is an epic fable of romance and revolution and one of the finest examples of classical Indian theatre which flowered between the 4th and 10th centuries.
‘Madhuri I Love You’ (1997) by Parminder Sekhon, produced by Mehtab Theatre and directed by Zahid Dar is a solo show. A young teenage girl writes to the Bollywood star, Madhuri Dixit, pouring her heart out about her life with her parents, her school friends, and her dreams.
‘Balti Kings’ (1999-2000) by Sudha Bhuchar and Shaheen Khan was directed by Kristine Landon-Smith and produced by Tamasha . This is a slice of life play drawn from research into the Balti Triangle in Birmingham and toured across Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Leeds, Huddersfield, Oxford and Manchester.
‘What Fatima Did’ by Atiha Sen Gupta, was produced at Hampstead theatre, London, in 2009 and directed by Kelly Wilkinson. It was the debut play of 21-year old Sen Gupta who was part of the Hampstead Youth theatre. The play is a funny and provocative exploration of attitudes to identity, freedom and multiculturalism in contemporary London.
All these plays are an example of work in the rich canon of South Asian work made in Britain that I hope will inspire a new generation of British South Asian creatives.
So do please join me at these FREE talks if you want to share in the discussion…
Suman Bhuchar is the lead curator of events as part of Bhuchar Boulevard’s Retracing Our Footsteps programme. See details below
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 6pm at QMUL, ArtsOne, Bloc, Mile End Road, London E1 4PA – as part of A Season of Bangla Drama
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/retracing-our-footsteps-creating-an-archive-of-south-asian-theatre-tickets-1022685930147?aff=oddtdtcreator
Friday, November 8, 2024 6.30pm Duffield Studio, National Theatre London SE1 9PX – Readings from British South Asian theatre canon
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/retracing-our-footsteps-an-evening-of-playreadings-tickets-1038799095057
