COLD SEASON IN CALCUTTA

Alongside the focus on the theatre practice of the Ariadne directors, this project took a complementary yet contrasting historical and dramaturgical approach to the issues of hidden histories, intergenerational conflict and reconciliation. In writing a new play, Cold Season in Calcutta, playwright and academic Elizabeth Kuti explored through practice the problems for playwrights, directors and actors in making work that investigates intercultural or post-colonial tensions.

Transposing key elements of The Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare’s intertwining of Bohemia-Sicily; the sixteen-year time gap; the theme of violence against women and the younger generation’s “healing” of the older generation), Cold Season in Calcutta aimed to explore interlocking themes of intercultural encounters in theatre, diaspora and imperial legacies.

The artists involved in this piece are: Trilby James (director, UK) and the Anglo-Indian actor Shelley King; with Ulrika Krishnamurti; Oscar Batterham; Parth Thakerar; Daisy Hughes; Matt Gavan (all UK based) and Madhyama Segal (dancer, India).  The musicians are Daniel Dhondy, Charlie Price and Sohini Alam.