Returning to the stage for the first time since 2020, Zaiba Baig (Peabody Award-winning co-creator of CBC/Max/Sphere Media’s Sort Of) returns to Buddies in Bad Times with a world premiere double bill: Kainchee Lagaa + Jhooti: The Begging Brown Bitch Plays. Baig explores deception, desire, and family fractured by displacement in these two unflinching stories of brown trans women caught between worlds. Kainchee Lagaa + Jhooti run from April 1 to 18. Opening night is April 2. Visit buddiesinbadtimes.com to learn more.

The plays, both directed by Tawiah M’Carthy, exist together to emphasize a kind of havoc that is wrought when brown queer/trans bodies liberate themselves, behaving with autonomy in front of North American witnesses.

Says Zaiba Baig: “These works are the most ambitious artistic interventions I’ve created thus far in my career. On a writing and performance level, there are complex and deeply flawed — therefore, deeply human — characters embodied by a majority trans cast. Here, I’m reinforcing my belief in trans bodies at the centre of storytelling, not relegated to the sidelines.”

A House of Beida and Buddies co-production, Kainchee Lagaa + Jhooti run as a double bill, with a short intermission between each show. A solo piece, Jhooti will be performed by Zaiba Baig. Kainchee Lagaa will be performed by Angel Glady, Praneet Akilla and Xina.

The creative team for both pieces also includes set designer Rachel Forbes, costume designer Ming Wong, lighting designer André du Toit, sound designer Dasha Plett—with original compositions by Hasheel Lodhia & Lady Pista—and movement coach Ellora Patnaik. The project is also supported by community and access coordinator kumari giles and trans mentorship coordinator Ronnie Ali. Baig and M'Carthy worked closely with Ali to develop and execute a trans mentorship program around the development of these plays, where trans trainees gain industry insight and professional experience in design, performance, and/or crew positions.

About Kainchee Lagaa:

Taxali Gate, Lahore, now / Etobicoke, Ontario, now

Billo is a sex worker who spends most of her time waiting for men and eating tandoori chicken in bed. She’s saving up to run away with someone special, so tip generously. On the other side of the world, her estranged brother Arsalan is looking for something that feels like home, trying to reach back toward Billo before his survivor’s guilt swallows him whole.

About Jhooti:

North America, now

Sakeena leaves home for good while her sister is at work. Sakeena is a Bollywood Item Number Girl. Actually, I’m sorry, she’s not. She’s not from here though. But she’s not a liar. She’s finally arrived, and no one has ever believed her, so can you blame her for telling the truth, even when it doesn’t match the facts?

* * *

Kainchee Lagaa + Jhooti: The Begging Brown Bitch Plays

Show Run: April 1 – 18 at Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. Toronto

Opening Night: April 2 // 7:30PM

Show Times:

Wed – Fri // 7:30PM

Sat // 2PM + 7:30PM

Brown Babes and Baddies Night: Sat, April 4 // 7:30PM

Mask Mandatory Performances: Wed, April 8 // 7:30PM + Sat, April 18 // 2PM

Audio-Described Performances: Sat, April 11 // 7:30PM + Sat, April 18 // 2PM

Tickets: $10 / $25 / $45 / $75 + fees.