Why Not Theatre’s Mahabharata makes its International Premiere at the Barbican, October 2023
BARBICAN THEATRE
London, England
October 1 – 7, 2023
Why Not Theatre is thrilled to announce that Mahabharata will be performed onstage at the Barbican, London (UK) this fall. After wrapping up a successful world premiere at the Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, the production’s cast and creative team look forward to this exciting next chapter.
Mahabharata is a contemporary take on a Sanskrit epic that is over four thousand years old and foundational to Indian culture. This gripping story of a family feud is an exploration of profound philosophical and spiritual ideas. Incorporating two large-scale plays: Mahabharata: Karma (Part 1) The Life We Inherit, Mahabharata: Dharma (Part 2) The Life We Choose, bridged by a community meal and storytelling session (Khana & Kahani), Mahabharata takes audiences on a journey through the past in order to write a thrilling new future. The two-part production will run October 1 – 7, 2023 at the Barbican Theatre.
Written and adapted by Why Not Theatre’s Co-Artistic Directors, Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes, Mahabharata features an international cast of performers from the South Asian diaspora. Incorporating multiple musical forms, from South Indian carnatic music to opera, the production celebrates a hybridity of cultures, balancing East and West, traditional and contemporary.
“The seed of our Mahabharata was planted 8 years ago. The piece has grown and been nourished by an international team of artists who have created something that both in form and content truly feels like it spans the world. This is a 4000 year old story that contains ancient wisdom about empathy, justice, and our relationship to the planet, which feels strikingly relevant today. It is thrilling to launch our Mahabharata on the international stage at the Barbican.“
–Miriam Fernandes | Co-Artistic Director of Why Not Theatre
"When I was a student in London, the Barbican was where I saw the world's greatest directors on stage. It was the place where I sat at the foot of masters and studied their moves. 24 years later, this is a dream come true and a rare one for Canadian artists to realize. I am so proud to represent Canada on the world stage with this epic retelling of the Mahabharata that we hope will have as big an impact as Peter Brook’s adaptation did in the 1980s."
–Ravi Jain | Founder & Co-Artistic Director, Why Not Theatre
For the full Mahabharata experience, we recommend attending both parts 1 and 2 and the community meal with a storyteller (Khana & Kahani). Tickets are booked separately for each part. For a detailed synopsis of both parts see here.
Performance Details
Mahabharata
October 1 – 7, 2023
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, England EC2Y 8DS
A Why Not Theatre Production
In association with Barbican, London
Originally presented by and commissioned by the Shaw Festival
Tickets starting from £16 and are available through the Barbican box office here.
MAHABHARATA
Written and adapted by Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes
Using poetry from Carole Satyamurti’s Mahabharata: A Modern Retelling
Original concept developed with Jenny Koons
A Why Not Theatre Production
Originally commissioned and presented by the Shaw Festival
In association with Barbican, London
Directed by Ravi Jain
With associate director Miriam Fernandes
Set designed by Lorenzo Savoini
Costumes designed by Gillian Gallow
Lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte
Associate Lighting Designer Mikael Kangas
Projections designed by Hana S. Kim
With associate projections designer Ann Slote
Original music and sound designed by John Gzowski and Suba Sankaran
With contributions from Dylan Bell, Hasheel Lodhia, Gurtej Singh Hunjan, and Zaheer-Abbas Janmohamed
Traditional Music Consultant Hasheel Lodhia
Stage Manager Neha Ross
Choreographer Brandy Leary
Kathakali Contributions Jay Emmanuel
Odissi Contributions Ellora Patnaik
Khana & Kahani storyteller and artistic associate Sharada K Eswar
Production Manager Crystal Lee
Mahabharata co-producer Kevin Matthew Wong
Mahabharata co-producer Michelle Yagi
Executive Director Karen Tisch
General Management by Lucky Chance Productions
* final cast and creative team to be confirmed at a later date
Why Not Theatre acknowledges the support of its Major Production Supporters: Shaw Festival, Canada Council for the Arts, National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund, The Slaight Family Foundation, Kingfisher Foundation, Deb Barrett & Jim Leech, Lindy Green Family Foundation and Wuchien Michael Than Foundation.
The Barbican presentation is generously supported by the Bagri Foundation.
About Why Not Theatre
Why Not Theatre is an international theatre company based in Toronto, Canada, operating at the intersection of art, innovation and social change. Rooted in values of community and collaboration, Why Not challenges the status quo, rethinking how stories are told and who gets to tell them. Since its inception, the company has developed and produced 50+ new plays to critical and public acclaim. These works have toured to over 50 cities and garnered over 40 awards and nominations. Why Not Theatre is led by Karen Tisch, Ravi Jain, and Miriam Fernandes. whynot.theatre
About The Barbican Centre
A world-class arts and learning organization, the Barbican pushes the boundaries of all major art forms including dance, film, music, theatre and visual arts. Their two theatre spaces play host to the finest international theatre, dance and performance by artists and companies who are challenging the idea of what theatre can be. barbican.org.uk
