Prayas to stage 'Love N Stuff'

For the first time in their rich 11-year history, Auckland’s much loved Prayas Theatre Company brings a full blown comedy to the stage from 23rd June – 3rd July at TAPAC.

Well-known for presenting satirical works, this year the company will up the ante to deliver even more comedic gold for their annual theatrical spectacular. Set at Auckland International Airport, Love n Stuff brings together a cast of fourteen actors for a hilarious and touching story of love, attachment and what we mean by home.
 
Bindi is a doctor, Mansoor an engineer; she's Hindu, he's Muslim. They live in Sandringham where they’re the most popular couple on the street. It has been a great 35-year-long marriage until, Mansoor suddenly decides to go. The drama unfolds at Auckland Airport’s departure lounge where the flight, it turns out, is delayed, giving Bindi the time to launch her battle strategy with a box of bhajjis and a bunch of memories.
 
A host of larger than life characters including overbearing airport staff, nosy neighbours, a local cop, a teenage rapper and an unruffled tourist guide take the audience on a lively ride that captures the hopes and disappointments of a married couple suspended somewhere between the "new life" and the homeland.
 
Tanika Gupta MBE is an award-winning playwright whose work includes Gladiator Games and Wah! Wah! Girls at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Sugar Mummies and Catch at The Royal Court, The Empress at the RSC, Bideshi, Flight and Banglatown Banquet for the BBC. Following a sell-out 2013 season, Love N Stuff will also play a return season at Stratford East in London at the same time as its Auckland premiere for Prayas.
 
Blooming director Sananda Chatterjee has taken up the challenge of bringing this fast paced comedy to life with the Prayas Ensemble. Joining the company over ten years ago, Sananda has moved up the ranks, from an usher to assistant director of last year’s critically acclaimed A Fine Balance. Love N Stuff will be her solo directing debut.
 
The well-known Prayas Band will compose the music for this play, using an eclectic mix of Indian and Western instruments such as the saxophone, tabla, flute and piano to do justice to this entertaining story.
 
LOVE N STUFF 

Thu 23 June – Fri 3 July, 2016
Venue: TAPAC, 100 Motions Rd, Western Springs
Tickets: $25 - $30
Booking: http://www.tapac.org.nz/