Preview: No Dogs, No Indians at Newcastle Live Theatre

GemArts Masala Festival at Live Theatre - 
Drama marking 70^th anniversary of Indian Independence and free outdoor Mini Mela

No Dogs, No Indians                                         
Written by Siddhartha Bose

Newcastle Live Theatre

Wednesday 19^th & Thursday 20^th July 2017

Mini Mela

Live Garden, located behind Live Theatre

Sunday 23^rd July 2017

South Asian culture comes to Live Theatre as it partners with GemArts to present two events as part of Masala Festival - a new play marking the 70^th anniversary of Indian Independence and a free outdoor Mini Mela in Live Garden.

No Dogs, No Indians

Marking the 70^th anniversary year of Indian independence, Live Theatre will present No Dogs, No Indians by poet and playwright Siddhartha Bose, on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 July at 7.30pm. Starring a company of four British/South Asian actors Komal Amin, Omar Khan, Ashraf Ejjbair and Archana Ramaswamy, the play draws on the tragic and little-known story of Pritilata Waddedar, a female philosophy graduate who joined a revolutionary group in pre-independence India and attacked an all-whites club that had a sign that read “No Dogs, No Indians”.

Examining three generations of resistance, sacrifice and discovery at the end of the British Empire in India and in the years that followed, No Dogs No Indians follows this young female revolutionary prepared to risk her own life in defiance of British Rule in 1932, an aspiring intellectual Anglophile in 1970s Kolkata, and his son in 2017, whose life in London is interrupted by an urgent trip home.

Gez Casey, Literary Manager at Live Theatre said: “This summer it will be 70 years since the signing of the 1947 Indian Independence Act, the creation of Pakistan and the conclusion of 350 years of the British Empire in India. To mark this anniversary, we are delighted to be able to present Siddhartha’s new play No Dogs, No Indians which weaves together true and fictional tales of British colonialism and its legacy.

“Anyone interested in finding out more about the issues raised in the play are invited to join members of the creative team, and Vikas Kumar, Director of GemArts, for a free Meet the Team event after the performance on Wednesday 19 July.”

Vikas Kumar, GemArts and Masala Festival Director, explained “We’re all really excited at GemArts, as this year’s Masala Festival is even more ambitious, building on last year’s award winning success. We have continued to collaborate with venue partners, places and spaces, commissioning new work to present internationally significant South Asian artists and art forms from the UK and abroad. Our work with Live Theatre has expanded to include not only our very popular Mini Mela family event on the Sunday, but also two performances of brand new play No Dogs No Indians. This year’s Masala Festival, once again, brings a mix and blend of the very finest South Asian Arts and Culture to the North East this summer; and with 2017 marking the 70th anniversary of India and Pakistan's Independence, some work, such as No Dogs No Indians, focuses on this important milestone. Masala Festival offers a truly incredible line up...    there is something for everyone!’

GemArts Masala Festival - Photo: Anna Miller

On Sunday 23 July from 11am to 3pm the Mini Mela will return to Live Garden, located behind Live Theatre, bringing the Masala Festival to a close.  This is a chance for families to enjoy a blend of South Asian flavours featuring arts, crafts, interactive storytelling, lively performances and fantastic food.  Events include the chance to create a beautiful Rangoli pattern, have a go at dancing to a Bollywood beat, follow an Indian storytelling adventure, try the Dhol drum, henna or face painting workshop or try a feast from the East.  There will also be the chance to hear the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band who will be performing folk songs, Bollywood hits and Bhangra beats throughout the day.

Tickets:

No Dogs, No Indians is at Live Theatre on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 July, 7.30pm. A free Meet the Team event will take place after the performance on Wednesday 19 July.  Tickets are £10-£14, over 60s concessions £12 and other concessions £6.  For more information or to book tickets visit www.live.org.uk or contact the box office on (0191) 232 1232.

Mini Mela will take place in Live Garden, located behind Live Theatre, on Sunday 23 July from 11am to 3pm.  This event is a free, drop in event.