'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.

These events take place in leisure centres, school halls and municipal buildings across the UK. As winter days close in and people head home wrapped up in scarves and woolly hats, the Gujerati youngsters arrive. The girls dressed up to the nines in flimsy and fashionable 'ghagharas' barely hiding the goose bumps, and the boys in uniform sculpted greased hair, beard topiary and leather jackets.

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, which, at best, is a courtship ritual, and at worst can end in gang warfare and rape.

Although the play will then open in London at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith in January 2004, Strictly Dandia will be performed in its entirety at The Edinburgh International Festival at the following times:

Wednesday 27th August 7.30pm
Thursday 28th August 7.30pm
Friday 29th August 6.00pm
Friday 29th August 9.00pm
Saturday 30th August 2.00pm
Saturday 30th August 7.00pm

Click here for the Tamasha Theatre Company website.