Fringe News
Fringe News
Toronto: Sex, Bollywood & Other Lies has all the ingredients of a Bollywood potboiler... and then some. Boy meets Girl. They fall in love. They get drunk, they have sex and... they feel awkward. But that is unlike anything Bollywood had prepared them for. Gone are the randomly placed trees in full-bloom behind which they would steal hidden kisses in the middle of a song and dance sequence. Gone is the perpetual wind blowing through the leading lady's hair. The stardom that was within reach just minutes ago is "unfairly" snatched. With the Bollywood bubble suddenly popped Trishna is left only with her inner truth and the memory of a drunken night with Raj.
Sex, Bollywood & Other Lies is a new musical dance drama that explores the effect of Bollywood on the South Asian communities perception of love, sex, sexuality, identity, relationships and lifestyle of many young people. Every young man wants to be the hero who could single handedly beat up ten bad guys and win the girl’s heart. Every young lady wants to be the impossibly beautiful and coveted damsel in distress who beats all odds in life and rides away with the hero into the sunset. The South Asian community, in particular, has staunchly worshiped these unrealistic standards to such an extent that individuals who do not exude the same levels of arrogance are treated as outcasts and failures.
The inspiration came to us from the most mundane to the most spectacular and over-the-top events within the South Asian community. From birthdays to weddings, from anniversaries to festivals and even prayers – each event seemed to unfold like the reels of a 3.5 hour saga of melodrama and “family values” while the attendees were dressed and decked like the winners of the Best Actor or Best Actress awards from the movies that won (or were “only nominated” for) the Best Film Award. Interacting with each one of the youth was a different ball-game altogether. While there were those rare gems who exuded simplicity and natural charm, there were many more who not only dressed and walked but also talked and even thought like the leading man or the leading lady of the blockbuster movie of the year.
These youths, and their parents, would reference movies and quote lines and songs from their favourite movies through the evening. However, we felt a constant pressure upon these youth to try to keep up these appearances without any hope of respite or a chance at being themselves. Being genuine and truthful about themselves was almost taboo to them because it often meant that they were falling short of expectations. On a recent trip to India, the choreographer discovered many of the similar trends repeating themselves across a distance of about two or three oceans. The choreographer drew upon these personal experiences and those of most of our company performers. Following this she created a screenplay that on the surface seems like it was modeled after most of the blockbusters in Bollywood.
However, there are moments, dialog pieces and situations that explore the results of watching life through Bollywood coloured glasses where all sense of authenticity and genuineness is hidden behind multiple and impenetrable layers of pretence and make belief. The play goes on to then explore the journey of the characters after those layers have been stripped and they allow themselves or someone else to see them for they really are on the inside and what it might take for them to accept themselves as they are.
This is Limitless Productions' third full-length show. The play has been written, directed and choreographed by Ashima Suri. Limitless Productions' previous ventures were Forbidden Fruit and Forbidden Fruit: Evolution. Forbidden Fruit was the play that was performed at Limitless Productions' launch event in 2010 at the Winchester Theatre of School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Attended by more than 100 audience members it not only garnered rave reviews and immense support from many other artists and organization members in the performing arts communities but it also set the standard for future shows which Limitless Productions has always managed to surpass. Limitless' second venture Forbidden Fruit: Evolution was performed at the Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival in 2011 at the Factory Theatre. Not only was this production graced with strong audience attendance but it was also featured and covered in multiple and diverse publications such as MyBindi magazine, Fusia magazine, Fab Magazine, Mooney on Theatre and Toronto Star. Mooney on Theatre reviewed the play saying, “The dancing was beautiful making the scenes intense and powerful. The stories were kept fairly simple and the ensemble cast played many different characters with ease... If you’re looking to see something with beautiful musicality and dance, check out this show. It’s wonderful in its simplicity yet empowering at the same time.” The Toronto Star added, “In contrast, Forbidden Fruit: Evolution, billed as an “Indo-Contemporary Dance Theatre Production,” succeeds very nicely because of its skilful integration of dance and spoken drama. The impressive cast is well rehearsed and choreographed/directed by Ashima Suri... convincingly communicates Forbidden Fruit’s central theme — the struggles of young people who find themselves out of step with family/societal values and expectations.”
Limitless Productions' cast and crewmembers' accomplishments are diverse and significant. Joining the crew this year is Mercedes Bernardez as the Rehearsal Director. She danced the leading roles of classical ballets including Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. Mercedes is presently teaching for Ballet Creole and Ballet Jorgen in Toronto and works as the rehearsal director for Newton Moraes Dance Theatre since 2010. Imran Mohammed, performer and guest choreographer for the production, has performed at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Other cast and crew members have been part of multiple dance companies in Ontario and other provinces and countries, performing at various gymnastics and dance competitions and collaborating with other companies such as Kinetic Elements for the 2010 Fringe Theatre Festival. Others have a continuously growing resume that boasts of multiple film and television acting credits and non-dance theatre plays. Limitless Productions, a Laidlaw Foundation funded project, also prides itself on actively giving back to the community through free and affordable dance workshops to youth in priority neighbourhoods and people with special needs or with limiting circumstances. Limitless' involvement with the Arthritis Society of Toronto, Dusk Dances, The Women's Community of North York as well as the Refugee Centre of North York and Sherbourne Health Centre has been especially appreciated by local print media.
Lights, Camera, Action! You didn't quite start off with a song and dance sequence, your foreplay did not come with a saxophone track, the sex was not perfectly lit, perfectly tuned to your rhythmic breathing. And your orgasms? Talk about BAD TIMING! So did Bollywood LIE to you? <GASP!> Introducing for the very first time the story of Raj and Trishna (?, not Priya?), their Bollywood romance, their epic journey through song, dance, emotions, fights, family dramas, rivalries and truth WITHOUT Lights, Camera or Action.
Sex, Bollywood & Other Lies video reels:
Teaser 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghaWqzCgNZM&feature=relmfu Teaser 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoxTGxoi_6M
Company Name: Limitless Productions
in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents
Sex, Bollywood & Other Lies
written by: Ashima Suri
directed and choreographed by: Ashima Suri
Theatrical director: Aparajit Bhattacharjee
Guest choreographer: Imran Mohammed
Rehearsal director: Mercedes Bernardez
starring (or featuring) : Ashima Suri, Imran Mohammed, Amitha Mundenchira, Megan Lawrence, Nishant Bahl, Yui Ugai, Justine Cargo, Farrah Fernando, Shayan Ali, Morgan Timberg , Kunal Jaggi
photographers: Hamidah Hemani and Aparajit Bhattacharjee
lighting design by: Owais Lightwala
stage managed by: Tara Mohan
Opens July 5 runs to July 14
Randolph Theatre (formerly: Bathurst Street Theatre, 730 Bathurst Street)
Performances: July 5, 11:00 pm July 7, 9:15 pm July 9, 6:30 pm July 10, 5:00 pm July 11, 7:30 pm July 13, 11:00 pm July 14, 4:00 pm
Toronto Fringe Festival, July 4-15
Fringe Box Office Information: On-line sales www.fringetoronto.com
By phone: 416-966-1062; Ticket cost: $10.00 (at the door); $11.00 (in advance)
Photo: Cast of The Dinner. ©2012 John Lee.
2012-07-03
Sex, Bollywood & Other Lies