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 directed by Naseeruddin Shah and powerfully performed by him alongside his wife Ratna Pathak Shah and daughter Heeba Shah (themselves renowned actresses).

The play is a celebration of Chughtai, whose work needs little introduction in India; thumbing her nose at the accepted notions/moralities, she created a provocative body of work which astounded and shocked her contemporaries. Shah's intention to enact three of her short stories is his tribute to this 'witty, wise, warm, wonderful woman, a unique, enchanting writer for the ages.'

This is a very rare and special opportunity to catch the play that has delighted Indian critics and audiences and to watch Shah perform on stage. Shah is a graduate of India's prestigious National School of Drama, and has acted in over 125 Indian and International films. He's won 4 Filmfare awards (India's equivalent of the Oscars) and recently starred in the highly acclaimed Monsoon Wedding.

'Gharwali' told by Naseeruddin Shah, is a heady satire on the social mores of the times (1940s) is uncannily accurate in its observations on the nature of the man-woman equation.

'Mughal Bachcha' told by Ratna Pathak Shah talks about the so called successors of the great Mughals, the 'landed gentry' of Uttar Pradesh, in the time of the British Raj. This wry and perceptive social commentary is interwoven with a love story of epic proportions.

'Chhui Muee' told by Heeba Shah is an account of a child birth in a train compartment, which is witnessed by three totally fascinated but differently affected women. A first person description, seen through the eyes of a child, the story transcends the personal and becomes a hymn of praise to the courage, power and integrity of the rural woman.

Performed in Hindu/Urdu.

Watermans, High Street, Brentford, TW8 ODS
Friday 26 April- 5 May, 7.45 pm
Tickets £14 (£12) Tel: 0208 232 1010

Top