6th March 2010 at Sri Ram Centre, 5:00pm
Producer: Akvarious Productions
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Language: English
Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
Blackbird is an unnerving and controversial play that taunts us with the limits of our own language, our taboos and our conceptions of love, abuse and closure. Una, a confident young woman, confronts Ray, an aging middling executive, and forces him to revisit the past. Twenty years ago, they had an affair. Till one night, Ray disappeared. Now she’s back. And she’s seeking much more than revenge.Director’s Note
Blackbird has always been more than just a play for us. It’s been a conversation starter, a topic for moral debates, a reason for introspection and an intriguing analysis of the concept of love.
A lot of people deserve credit for this production. David Harrower, for writing such a gutsy, topical and important play. Purva Naresh, for gifting me the play, thus trying to coax me back into theatre. Akash Khurana, for being a fantastic actor and father. Shernaz Patel, for being so ready, willing and infinitely able. And Hidaayat, Tahira, Hussain and Preetika for always being so supportive, however insane the idea.
On Stage:
Akash Khurana
Shernaz Patel
Backbirds: Preetika Chawla, Hussain Dalal, Tahira Nath
Off Stage:
Set Design: Akarsh Khurana & Payal Wadhwa
Light Design and Execution: Hidaayat Sami
Costume Design: Yamini Namjoshi
NOMINEES
1. Best Actor-Female: SHERNAZ PATEL
2. Best Actor-Male: AKASH KHURANA
3. Best Director: AKARSH KHURANA
4. Best Lighting Design: HIDAAYAT SAMI
Akarsh Khurana
The proprietor of Akvarious Productions, Akarsh Khurana has been involved in theatre from a very young age. Of the 21 plays produced by Akvarious so far, he has directed 9, including Afsaneh: Bai se Bioscope Tak (for which he received a META nomination), the hugely successful children’s play, A Special Bond, and its sequel.
The proprietor of Akvarious Productions, Akarsh Khurana has been involved in theatre from a very young age. Of the 21 plays produced by Akvarious so far, he has directed 9, including Afsaneh: Bai se Bioscope Tak (for which he received a META nomination), the hugely successful children’s play, A Special Bond, and its sequel.Akash Khurana
A film and theatre veteran, Akash Khurana has had over thirty years of stage and screen experience. His feature film credits include some very memorable characterizations. On stage, he has won accolades for several performances and his directorial work. He has worked extensively with Pandit Satyadev Dubey, Naseeruddin Shah and Sunil Shanbag, among others.Shernaz Patel
Undoubtedly one of the most popular faces on the Indian English theatre scene, Shernaz Patel has worked with some of the best known directors like Nasseruddin Shah, Vijaya Mehta and Rahul Da Cunha as well as younger, avant-garde directors such as Rehaan Engineer. She is also a founding member of Rage Productions.Hidaayat Sami
Hidaayat Sami has been actively involved in theatre for eighteen years, during which he has been a part of more than hundred productions. His expansive expertise includes acting, production, light design and direction. He has worked regularly with stalwarts like Pt. Satyadev Dubey, Naseeruddin Shah, Sunil Shanbag, Astaad Deboo, among others.
