STRAP IN FOR BASMATI BITCH; A KICK ASS RIDE FOR SCI-FI COMEDY FANS AT Q THEATRE THIS JULY
Already extended for an extra week due to popular demand during pre-sales, SquareSums&Co, Oriental Maidens and Auckland Theatre Company premiere the neo-noir action-comedy Basmati Bitch at Q Theatre, Rangatira, 11 - 23 July.
Welcome to a dystopian alternate Aotearoa, where closed borders and crop disease make rice the ultimate commodity. Dragged into the illegal underworld of MMA (mixed martial arts), two South-Asian anti-heroines must fight to break free from the Basmati Baron’s black market and crumbling empire. They have seven days to get the goods, or else…The ride is perilous, action fuelled and ultimately hilarious.
Inspired by anime and manga, Basmati Bitch is a fusion of action and humour; it’s buddy comedy like Thelma and Louise, Hot Fuzz meets female led heist like Oceans 8. From emerging screenwriter and first-time playwright Ankita Singh (I Am Rachel Chu, First World Problems) it’s the first commission by Auckland Theatre Company of a main bill show from a South-Asian writer, and the first nationwide for a South-Asian female, with Ankita heralded as ‘an inventive and clever new voice,’ - Jonathan Bielski, Artistic Director & CEO of Auckland Theatre Company.
“Basmati Bitch was born from a desire to see empowered South Asian women in a high concept story” says Singh. “It also lets diverse audiences indulge in an empowering fantasy - while being grounded in very real and relatable contemporary issues including exploitation of migrant workers, classism and thinly veiled racism. It sounds serious but the tone is wildly breezy and anarchically upbeat”, laughs Singh.
Arts Laureate Ahi Karunaharan (A Fine Balance, My Heart Goes Thadak Thadak, Tea), directs this buddy-comedy crime-caper to full noise. He is joined by twin dramaturges multiple award-winning playwright and long-time collaborator Nathan Joe 周润豪 (Scenes from a Yellow Peril, I Am Rachel Chu) and Jane Yonge (Director of Scenes from a Yellow Peril, The Basement Tapes). They are joined by fashion designer Imuy Teav and design team Bradley Gledhill and Rachel Marlow from Filament Eleven 11 to make this production truly kick-ass.
The unlikely band of misfits in our dystopian tale are brought to life by an all-Asian cast. Best friends and the antiheroes of this adventure - Shiva and Bisma, are played by Gemma Jayde Naidoo (Karmasutra Chronicles, Cowboy Beebop) and Karishma Grebneff (Shortland Street, The Best Cafe in the World). They are joined by Tian Tan(Friday Night Bites, Baby Mama’s Club), Jess Hong (The Three Body Problem, Creamerie), Mo Nasir (In a Flash, The Pact), Celine Dam (The Best Cafe in the World, Pork & Poll Taxes), Amanda Grace Leo (Scenes From a Yellow Peril), and Mel Odedra (Shantaram).
BITCH: It’s time to fight for a better future!
BASMATI BITCH
A Collaboration between SquareSums&Co, Oriental Maidens
& Auckland Theatre Company
11 - 29 July
Q Theatre, 305 Queen St, Auckland
7.30pm nightly, except Sundays at 4pm
Additional performance Saturday 22 July at 2pm
Tickets and info www.atc.co.nz or 0800 ATC TIX
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
Written by Ankita Singh
Directed by Ahi Karunaharan
Dramaturgy by Nathan Joe & Jane Yonge
CAST:
Celine Dam
Amanda Grace Leo
Karishma Grebneff
Jess Hong
Gemma Jayde Naidoo
Mo Nasir
Mel Odedra
Tian Tan
CREATIVES:
Sound Design by Te Aihe Butler
Production & Lighting Design by Rachel Marlow & Bradley Gledhill – Filament Eleven 11
Costume Design by Imuy Teav
Content Advice:
Contains strong language, depictions of violence and sexual references.
About SquareSums&Co
About Oriental Maidens
About Auckland Theatre Company