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** ENTERTAINMENT ARCHIVE ** ENTERTAINMENT ARCHIVE **

Welcome to the Entertainment Archive. To read archived stories click on the information below....don't forget to visit our current entertainment stories by choosing a menu option on the left or from the menu bar at the top of this page.

'NO MAN'S LAND' SYMPOSIUM, SATURDAY 22 MAY 2004

'South Asianness': new nationality or convenient catchall? The term has achieved wide currency today but it is hotly disputed within the diaspora as well as the regions themselves. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Akademi presents a one-day symposium to discuss the issues.

ERENDIRA, 18 -22 MAY 2004

Innocent Erendira is the story, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, of a twelve-year-old girl whose grandmother sells her into prostitution in order to make money. Erendira runs at the ICA from 18 - 24 May 2004.

FAB! - FAME ACADEMY BOLLYWOOD STYLE, 27 APR

Shin Parwana of Bhangra group DCS will provide professioal coaching to FAB! participants.

FAB! - Fame Academy Bollywood is a singing, song writing and performance project launched by Sampad. From Bollywood to Bhangra to the funkiest Asian club nights around, Birmingham has taken centre stage as the platform for up and coming South Asian talent and Sampad is taking a lead in building on this vibrant scene, by running FAB! to find the next generation of Bollywood-style singers.

UK’S INDIAN DANCE CONTEST

Students from all over the South of England will flock to Harrow Arts Centre on Saturday April 17th, 7pm, to battle it out in front of a packed auditorium. The students will dance as never before in order to try and win much sort after dance medals in the UK’s Indian Dance Contest. Dancers can choose whether to perform solo or as part of a group. They then enter one of the three different age ranges: 4-7years, 8-12years, 13-adults.

SYAL TO MAKE 'KITTY' ROLE HER OWN IN BOMBAY DREAMS

Actress and author, Meera Syal is to guest star as 'Kitty' the celebrity gossip columnist, in A R Rahman's musical Bombay Dreams. Syal will tread the floorboards at the Apollo Victoria Theatre for one week only, from March 16th, taking on the role of the 'catty Kitty' whose on-stage career slowly descends into the gutter.

SIKHS IN THE CITY, 21-25 JANUARY 2004

When you’re a British Asian walking the tightrope of two cultures it’s not uncommon to become tipsy and lose your balance – especially if you’re Punjabi! So when a British Sikh actor becomes trapped between acting on stage and acting a good little Asian boy, he seeks comfort from a variety of zany ‘Sikhs in the City’ to make sense of a cultural cocktail that’s sipped by the British and drunk in gallons by Punjabis.

GUYS WITH GAGS, FRIDAY 12 & SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER

Guys with Gags is a laugh–a–minute extravaganza featuring the best British Asian male comedians. Inder Manocha, Rohan Agalawatta and Paul Sinha are all regulars on the comedy circuit. They will be joined by relative newcomer, Ronak Mashru. The brilliant comedienne, Angie McEvoy, will compere the two nights of stand–up hilarity on Friday 12 & Saturday 13 December 2003 at Watermans.

HONEY KALARIA'S DANDIA CHALLENGE

Guiness Book of Records attempt by Honey Kalaria & her troupe of dancers.

Honey Kalaria, one of the UK's leading British-Asian dancers, lead thousands of people in an attempt to set a World record for the greatest number of people to ever line dance Dandia together. The Guiness Book of Records attempt took place at the Festival of Asia Event on the weekend of 23-25th August 2003.

'STRICTLY DANDIA' AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

'Strictly Dandia', Tamasha Theatre Company's new play is to be performed at The Edinburgh International Festival 27 - 30 August 2003.

'Strictly Dandia', Tamasha Theatre Company's new play, takes us into the competitive and brutal world of the 'Navratri Festival where regional and caste rivalries abound in a desperate bid to outdo each other with smart moves and step variations. Both sexes brandish dandia sticks and mobile phones, constantly in touch with the rest of their posse. The stage is set for an encounter of the sexes!

URBAN TEMPLE - ANGIKA RESIDENCY, 4-8 AUGUST 2003

Urban Temple - Angika Residency at London's South Bank Centre from Monday 4 - Friday 8 August 2003.

A unique and exciting opportunity to see one of the UK's most dynamic and imaginative British Indian dance companies at work. Angika are committed to evolving the art of Bharata Natyam without mixing it with other dance forms for contemporary audiences and are well known for their diverse collaborations and high quality productions.

AKADEMI PRESENTS 'ESCAPADE' , 1-2 AUGUST 2003

Akademi presents Escapade at The Royal Festival Hall, 1-2 August 2003.

Akademi presents 'Escapade' on London's South Bank - a spectacular outdoor performance with dance, film, music and club culture on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd August 2003. The spaces outside the Royal Festival Hall will be transformed by this free event that is inspired by popular South Asian culture. Escapade is a 360º degree experience that is a kaleidoscope of sights and sound with 150 dancers performing on multiple stages.

BOLLYWOOD BLAST OFF - BIG WORKSHOP DAY, 2 AUG 2003

Experience the allure of Bollywood through a day of bosom-heaving, bangle-clashing 'filmi' dance workshops, see examples of dance in Indian cinema, be in on the topical discussion and end the day with the performance spectacle Escapade. The Bollywood Blast Off Big Workshop Day is on 2nd August 2003 at London's Royal Festival Hall with many events suitable for children and families.

GREAT ARC FESTIVAL, 22 JULY - 2 AUGUST 2003

Indian events are part of the Great Arc Festival, which celebrates 200 years of the quest for knowledge, the arts and adventure in India. The festival showcases the best of Indian theatre, music and dance with Aditi Mangaldas and the Drishtikon Dance Foundation performing 'Textures', an exploration of energy in Kathak form. Events run from 22 July - 2 August 2003 at The Riverside Studios in London.

'KATHAK MEETS FLAMENCO'

An acclaimed performer of Northern Indian Classical Kathak folk dance, Priya Pawar has pioneered "Kathak-Flamenco". The amazing spectacle commences with each dancer establishing their individual Indian and Spanish dance forms, eventually merging together unto fluid movements and uplifting beats.

BOMBAY DREAMS UNVEILS NEW CAST

As I waited with the tense and nervous hopefuls auditioning for the chance to star in 'Bombay Dreams' earlier in March this year, it struck me how important the show has become for British Asians. Bombay Dreams has set a new standard for Asian Theatre. The show unveiled its new cast 18 June, with actor Stephen Rahman Hughes and actress Zehra Naqvi taking on the lead roles.

JUST BEFORE THE RAIN, 8 - 10 MAY

A groundbreaking play that has enjoyed a sell out tour, explores the Oldham riots and is devised and performed by five Oldham-based Asian performers who witnessed the riots first hand. 'JUST BEFORE THE RAIN' touches upon the roles that politics, police and media practitioners had to play in the disturbances, highlighting the issues and practices that must be addressed to prevent a recurrence.

DRAMA WORKSHOPS FOR THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY, 26 APR

The Bloody Balti Theatre Company are proud to announce Saturday drama workshops aimed at individuals with an 'Islamic Background'. The workshops will be held at the Central School Of Speech And Drama. Hajaz Akram the Artistic director of The Bloody Balti Theatre Company will lead the classes.

WOMEN ON THE EDGE - COMEDY AT WATERMANS, 25-26 APRIL

Watermans continues it's popular comedy nights with Shazia Mirza and Shappi Khorsandi. The first female Muslim stand up in the UK, Shazia Mirza is known for her distinctive act, which combines deadpan delivery with razor sharp observations on the world. Born in Tehran and raised in London, hugely talented Shappi Khorsandi has a distinct, sassy and sharp act, which she has taken her to all corners of the globe.

VASANT - SPRING SHOWCASE OF SOUTH ASIAN ARTS

Vasant - a spring showcase of South Asian Arts by Sampad. 3 - 6 April 2003.

'Vasant', by Sampad, is a weekend bringing you an exciting programme of South Asian music, theatre and dance, showcasing youth, amateur and emerging artists. Sampad is a dynamic development agency for South Asian Arts based in Birmingham. It plays a significant role in promoting the practice of the diverse South Asian art forms. The event runs on the weekend of 3-6th April 2003.

SALMAN RUSHDIE'S 'MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN' 18 JAN - 23 FEB.

Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children, a new dramatisation at The Barbican, London from 18 January - 23 February 2003.

Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie's classic story of the magic, myth making and mischief of modern India is brought to the stage in a thrilling new production by the Royal Shakespeare Company and runs from 18 January to 23 February 2003 at The Barbican, London.

[h]INTERLAND2 & PHANTASMATON 2003 TOUR

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company continues to challenge perceptions of location beyond the confines of the stage with [h]INTERLAND2. As the dancers edge their way between light and shadow they test the boundaries between reality and illusion and challenge restrictions of space. [h]Interland and Phantasmaton are on tour from 6th February 2003.

LONDON THEATRE TICKET PRICES SLASHED!

Get into London Theatre promotion offers discounted tickets to major plays and musicals in London Theatreland.

The 'Get Into London Theatre' promotion, announched by Mayor Ken Livingstone, offers tickets at the specially reduced prices of £10, £15 and £20 to plays, musicals, dance and opera including hit musical 'Bombay Dreams' and new Royal Shakespeare Company play 'Midnight's Children'. The offer runs until March 29th 2003.

DRAMA WORKSHOPS FOR THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY

The Bloody Balti theatre company are proud to announce a series of Saturday drama workshops aimed at individuals with an 'Islamic Background'. The workshops will be held at the Central School Of Speech And Drama. Hajaz Akram the Artistic director of The Bloody Balti Theatre Company will lead the classes.

KAASH BY AKRAM KHAN - LAST FEW UK TOUR DATES 2002

Royal Festival Hall choreographer in residence Akram Khan teams up with the celebrated talents of Anish Kapoor and Nitin Sawhney to present his company's first full length evening work Kaash (Hindi word for if). Last UK Tour dates for 2002.

'TAJ' - UNTIL 30TH NOVEMBER

The Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world was built by the great Moghul, Shahjahan, as a monument to his love for his Queen, Mumtaz. And according to historians of his time, Shahjahan was the great romantic king, a lover of unparalleled reputation.

BOMBAY DREAM MAKERS

THIS SHOW

NEEDS YOU

Are you Asian? Can you sing? and shake those hips with the best of 'em? Well hit show Bombay Dreams needs you. It seems that the talent pool for the extensive cast of Bombay Dreams is not as large as the show requires and Andrew Lloyd Webber, producer of A R Rahman's Bombay Dreams, today launched a national search for new British Asian performing talent. The new search hopes to pluck the stars of tomorrow from open auditions to be held in London in January 2003.

TRANS AVATAR TOUR, 9TH OCTOBER - 29th NOVEMBER 2002

Imlata Dance Company presents the world premiere of TRANS AVATAR, a multimedia explosion of contemporary dance, martial arts and integrated sound and digital technology. Bearing Imlata's hallmark traits of sensuous elegance and athletic exuberance, Trans Avatar drives through the hyper-world of life today, exploring multiple identities. Tours from 9th Oct - 29th Nov 2002

KATHAKALI - MASSIVE UK TOUR UNTIL 30TH NOVEMBER

The Kala Chethena Kathkali UK Tour 2002. Kalamandalam Vijayakumar.

Save yourself thousands of pounds in travel to India and introduce your children to the classical art form of Kathak! The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company UK Tour 2002, which starts on 25th Sept and runs until 30th November, is a rare opportunity to see top international artists from India perform plays from the Great Hindu epic The Mahabaratha.

SOUTH ASIAN DANCE UNTIL 26TH OCTOBER

Greenwich Dance Agency showcases Bharata Natyam as part of Black History Month

As part of Black History Month the Greenwich Dance Agency is showcasing the ancient South Asian dance form Bharata Natyam from 20th Sept - 26th October 2002. Vena Ramphal & Mavin Khoo will give solo performances, Mayuri Boonham and Subathra Subramaniam dance Angika - Pulse of Tala and Shobana Jeyasingh will perform a new work entitled [h]Interland.

JEFF MIRZA SERVES IT UP AT WATERMANS - 11/12th October

Jeff Mirza, stand-up comedian, who plays the part of "Mo" in Channel 4's adaptation of Zadie Smith's award-winning book 'White Teeth' is to feature in a new show at Watermans on Friday 11th & Saturday 12th October. He will musing on the subject of "who decided samosas would be triangular? Is it a conspiracy theory?" among other pet topics like football and curry.

PRATAP PAWAR TRIVENI DANCE CO. - 3rd October

As part of the national Black History Month, Hounslow CIP and Pratap Pawar Triveni Dance Company presents an unusual coming together on 3rd October 2002. Through the dynamism of Kathak and the devotional and romantic strings of the Santoor to celebrate 20 years of cultural contribution to London. This will be the first autumn event in Hounslow Council's newly rebranded Paul Robeson Theatre.

ASIAN PRINCESS SOUGHT IN HOUNSLOW

Wednesday 25th September, 2-6pm,
Paul Robeson Theatre, Treaty Centre,
Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 1ES.
Do you long to be on stage, soon to dazzle in the limelight! Do you dream of a last curtain call before performance? Want your name in lights? The casting directors for Hounslow's Christmas pantomime are looking for an Asian Princess to star as the principal Sleeping Beauty.

SANGEETHAM AT SADLER'S WELLS, 16 - 21 SEPTEMBER 2002

A selection of India's finest dancers and musicians come to Sadler's Wells for the first time in a unique festival highlighting forms from South Asia. Sangeetham celebrates the richness of the kutcheri and solo tradition though Geetham (Song), Vadyam (instrument) and Nrityam (dance).

THE SANCTUARY - A NEW PLAY BY TANIKA GUPTA

Kabir is from India and finds sanctuary as a gardener for his local London church. Michael used to be a pastor in Rwanda before he fled persecution. Sebastian used to be a hotshot photographer but was destroyed by drink. Jenny, the vicar, lives with her grandmother, a frank ex-colonial widow. The Sanctuary, a new play by Tanika Gupta is a complex drama of morality and conscience in a multicultural Britain.

SINGH TANGOS, 28 MAY - 15 JUNE 2002

Mr Singh wants his family to soak up English culture. So Mrs Singh takes up ballroom dancing and discovers the liberating effect of rhythm. Their son Tej disapproves of this brazenly forward attitude. He's obsessed with becoming a respected doctor and wants to practice on everybody he meets. Their daughter Cassie demands an arranged marriage!

UNSUITABLE GIRLS, 30 APRIL - 25 MAY 2002

Meet Chumpa - a fast talking girl with ambition, a promising career and a problem. Her wedding is booked, relatives are arriving, presents are piling up....all she needs now is a groom. From Bollywood suitors to the boy next door, follow Chumpa in her search for the man of her dreams.

ISMAT APA KE NAAM, 26 APRIL - 5 MAY 2002

Watermans is proud to host the international screen and stage star, Naseeruddin Shah, in 'Ismat Apa Ke Naam' - a play performed in Hindu/Urdu and based on three short stories by the famous Urdu writer, Ismat Khanum Chughtai (1915-1991). The plays are also directed by Naseeruddin Shah.

LEADING ARTS VENUE 'WATERMAN'S' RE-OPENS

West London cultural flagship, Watermans re-opened on 24 April 2002 with a re-vitalised artistic strategy ensuring them a place at the forefront of Asian Arts development in the UK. Closed to the public fifteen months ago after a significant ACE grant enabled a re-focusing of the creative vision and essential upgrades to the centres facilities and resources. read more

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