2009
Where’s My Desi Soulmate? looked at the changing trends as contemporary British Asians move away from the traditions of arranged marriage and looks at new ways of finding a life partner and exploring new methods to find their soulmate.
We all ask ourselves, “Will I ever find The One?”, “What’s the secret to happiness?’’ “Is the grass really greener on the other side?” It used to be so simple. Boy meets girl over a plate of samosas in Auntie Bimla’s living room. So why, in the age of Shaadi.com, tantric speed dating, cosmic ordering, pokes and twitters is the path to true love bumpier than ever?
Where’s My Desi Soulmate? brought together some of the finest talent in British Asian theatre industry, the writer and director Pravesh Kumar and exceptional writers Sonia Likhari (Soho Theatre, Tamasha, Kali Theatre Company) and Harvey Virdi (Nina Mandal’ in Coronation Street, Brick Lane, Bride and Prejudice).
2008
It Ain’t All Bollywood. Part of the InvAsian festival at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. National Regional Tour later in the year and then part of the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop’s World Performing Arts Festival in Pakistan.
“It’s not often that something makes you both laugh and cry” Three weeks
“A heart warming theatrical experience” Time Out
2007
There’s Something About Simmy. Large National Tour including London, Manchester, Windsor, Southampton, Coventry and Leeds.
“you’d have to be a real spoilsport to resist” Time Out
“Spectacle and a truly moving narrative, beautifully presented” British Theatre Guide
“If you’re after a fix of that rom-com feelgood factor, There’s Something About Simmy could be just the show… Kumar reaches a quiet place that has heart and depth.” The Evening Standard
There’s Something About Simmy is a story that explores family, friendship, and fate – flavoured with a hint of Bollywood. The birth charts were a perfect match – Simmy, the imported Indian bride, was meant to bring good fortune to her unlucky in-laws. But Raj, the groom has run away before the honeymoon could commence! Until he returns, Simmy is locked in the house by her community conscious mother-in-law, and spends her days keeping the diabetic granddad away from the jalebis.
Photo Credit: David Fisher
2006
Meri Christmas. Toured to seven regional venues.
“Proof that British Indian Theatre, with its readiness to tour, has become an enriching staple of live performance reaching out to all sections of the community.” The Stage
This studio production developed from conversations with the elder community during our The Deranged Marriage script development and workshops. It followed the lives of two Asian elders living in a care home, a subject not previously in the public eye. Meri Christmas is an entertaining and thought provoking exploration of the shifting trends which have led to more and more Asian elders being removed from their families to live in homes for the elderly. Rifco Arts has always attracted a varying age range of audience members, and Meri Christmas was no exception.
2006
The Deranged Marriage is a mid-scale production that follows Rishi and Sona. They have just met, now they’re getting married and although this was their decision, the whirlwind wedding circus is on the move without them. While their frenzied families race to ensure this is the most elaborate wedding Slough has ever seen, the young couple’s cold feet threaten to enter the wedding mandap; and while the missing ladoos continue to cause mayhem, years of family conflict bubbling under the surface looks likely to spill over.
The Deranged Marriage. Toured in Coventry, Windsor and London.
“A big hit around the country” The Guardian
“A mini-masterpiece of epic humour” The Stage
2005
The Deranged Marriage. National Tour including London (Riverside Studios), Leeds Oxford, Leicester and Coventry.
“comedy of epic proportions” Coventry Observer
2004
The Deranged Marriage in association with The Hawth, (Crawley), toured to 6 Cultural Hubs including Crawley; Southampton; Brentford (West London); Coventry; Birmingham and Slough.
2003
Bollywood….Yet Another Love Story in association with Riverside Studios, Hammersmith.
2000
Bollywood 2000, toured to 4 regional venues.
1999
Airport 2000, Asians in Transit in association with Theatre Royal Stratford East.
1998
Airport 2000, Asians in Transit, in association with Leicester Haymarket Theatre.
