Why Not Theatre Partners with Shaw Festival to Present Mahabharata: World Premiere in Niagara-On-The-Lake, March 2023
FESTIVAL THEATRE
March 9 – March 26, 2023
Previews: February 28 – March 8, 2023
Why Not Theatre, in partnership with the Shaw Festival, is proud to present the world premiere of Mahabharata – 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), Mahabharata: Dharma (Part 2), bridged by a community meal and storytelling session (Khana), Mahabharata takes audiences on a journey through the past in order to write an exciting new future. The two-part production will premiere on March 9, 2023 at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
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.
“Adapting The Mahabharata for the stage is a dream project for me that has been decades in the making,” says Why Not Theatre Founder and Co-Artistic Director, Ravi Jain. “Like many young people in the Indian diaspora, I grew up hearing episodes from this riveting tale of mortals struggling to build a just society amidst jealousy, greed and rage. In many ways, these stories shaped my understanding of the world and fueled my imagination. Sharing the Mahabharata with Canadian theatre audiences for the first time is a unique honour and thrill.” “For one of the oldest poems in recorded history, the Mahabharata feels remarkably contemporary,” continues Why Not Co-Artistic Director, Miriam Fernandes. “With themes of ecocide, empathy, and duty, the text–and its underlying messages–is as relevant and urgent as ever. We are humbled by the opportunity to bring this epic story to the Shaw Festival stage.”
For the full Mahabharta experience, it is recommended that audiences see both plays: Mahabharata: Karma (Part 1) and Mahabharata: Dharma (Part 2). For a detailed synopsis of both parts see here. Both plays of Mahabharata may be seen on one day with the Khana community meal interlude, or on separate days. Learn more about Khana here.
In addition to the performances, a series of three Mahabharata: Conversations will be presented in collaboration with the Shaw Festival, Brock University, and the University of Toronto on February 22, March 8 and March 22, 2023. These virtual panels will feature artists and experts on The Mahabharata, including Nell Shapiro Hawley, Sohini Sarah Pillai, Sharada Eswar, Dr. Chindu Sreedharan, Devdutt Pattanaik, Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes, and will be hosted by Dr. Karen Fricker (Brock University) and Dr. Larry Switzky (University of Toronto).
Performance Details
Mahabharata
March 9 – March 26, 2023
Previews: February 28 – March 8, 2023
Festival Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
A Why Not Theatre Production
In association with Barbican, London
Commissioned and presented by the Shaw Festival
Tickets available through the Shaw Festival box office at: https://www.shawfest.com/playbill/mahabharata/
Festival Theatre is a wheelchair accessible venue with wheelchair accessible restrooms. More information on accessibility needs can be found 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
In association with Barbican, London
Commissioned and presented by the Shaw Festival
Directed by Ravi Jain
Set designed by Lorenzo Savoini
Costumes designed by Gillian Gallow
Lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte
Projections designed by Hana S. Kim
with associate projections designer Ann Slote
Original music and sound designed by John Gzowski and Suba Sankaran
Mahabharata lead producer Kevin Matthew Wong
Our Partners
Mahabharata is one of the 200 exceptional projects funded through the Canada Council for the Arts’ New Chapter initiative. With this $35M initiative, the Council supports the creation and sharing of the arts in communities across Canada. Mahabharata was developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund.
Why Not Theatre acknowledges the support of The Slaight Family Foundation, the Wuchien Michael Than Foundation and our Access Partner, Lindy Green Family Foundation. This event has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund – a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.
About Why Not Theatre
We push boundaries, build community, and find new ways. Rethink how stories are told. And who gets to tell them. We MAKE great work that takes chances, and tours all over the world. We SHARE everything we have because more artists mean more stories. We PROVOKE change because we believe art should be for everyone. At Why Not we make things, better.
About Shaw Festival
Nestled in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Shaw Festival is one of North America’s finest cultural attractions. Established in 1962, and inspired by the spirit of Bernard Shaw, The Shaw creates unforgettable theatrical encounters, including an eclectic array of award-winning musicals, family-friendly offerings, quirky comedies, bold dramas, and sweeping classics. For more information, visit shawfest.com.
Contact
Mary Anderson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Why Not Theatre, [email protected]
