SIZE OF COMPANY
2–9 on the road

SCALE OF VENUE
Small- to middle-scale

PERMANENT STAFF
Artistic Director
Jatinder Verma

Executive Director
Jonathan Kennedy

Associate Director – Design
Claudia Mayer

Marketing Officer
Rhian Hughes

Administrator
Emer Flynn

Finance Officer
Sharon Zhang

IT Manager
Hitesh Chauhan

ARTISTIC POLICY
Founded in 1977, Tara was the first Asian-led theatre company in Britain. Positioned between East and West, the company champions diversity through the production, promotion and development of cross-cultural theatre. Tara’s mission is based on a simple assertion: stories have no passports. The company promotes community cohesion by touring the classics of world theatre internationally for adults and young people. Based in South London and touring annually to England, Scotland and Wales, the company has also toured the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Belgium, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Australia.

REVIEW EXTRACTS
‘The most culturally open-minded troupe in Britain.’ The Independent on Sunday

‘The Tara spell seldom falters.’ Financial Times

‘Tara Arts is the most consistently shining example in the whole of British theatre of the possibilities that lie beyond conventional realistic drama.’ BBC Radio 4

CURRENT PRODUCTIONS
William Shakespeare’s The Tempest Directed by Jatinder Verma and designed by Claudia Mayer. A brooding Maharishi… a shipwreck, a treacherous brother… an innocent daughter – Shakespeare’s powerful last play sees the brilliant Prospero intent on colonising the minds of natives and kin alike. Suitable for all ages. (105 mins, 6 on stage, 9 on road.)

When the Lights Went Out – the story of Divali A captivating show that brings all the spectacle and wonder of the story of the Indian Festival of Lights to young children and families. Based on the India epic Ramayana, two actors tell the story of Sita and Rama. For children aged 6 to 11 years. (50 mins, 2 on stage, 4 on the road.)

Nowhere to Belong – tales of an extravagant stranger Written and performed by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown. Journalist and political commentator Alibhai-Brown explores her life-long love of Shakespeare. Her experiences of playing Juliet as a teenager in 1960s Uganda sent shockwaves through her family and helped shape the emotional and political landscape of her life. Suitable for ages 14+. (70 mins, 1 on stage, 2 on the road, moderate use of strong language.)

FUTURE PRODUCTIONS
Theseus and the Minotaur Using elegantly designed sets and props and colourful costumes and music, two performers bring Asian theatre techniques to transform the school hall into ancient Greece – a world which children will be encouraged to participate in during the show. This production will particularly support teaching in English and History and provides an innovative learning resource for the teaching of Greek Myths and Legends. For audiences of up to 120 children. (50 mins, 2 on stage, 4 on the road.)

The House of Bernarda Alba Gabriella Garcia Lorca’s play in a new translation by Ghurpreet Bhatti. Exploring repression, passion and conformity of an Andalusian house in mourning as the matriarch wields control over her five daughters. In Ghurpreet Bhatti’s new translation, Bernarda Alba will once more become a searing play for our times. Directed by Jatinder Verma, designed by Claudia Mayer.

Ambedkar (working title) A new play by Peter Oswald telling the story of Ambedkar – a fighter for India’s independence, architect of the modern Indian constitution, and an Untouchable. Directed by Kathryn Hunter, movement by Marcello Magni, and dramaturgy by Jatinder Verma.

WRAP-AROUND
Tara provides Education Packs, post/pre-show discussions and Page to Stage interactive theatre workshops. Tara is developing a corporate training programme to assist the sector in doing business in and with India.

RECENT INTERNATIONAL WORK
2007 France (When the Lights Went Out)
2006 Belgium, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands (When the Lights Went Out)

TOURING AVAILABILITY
The Tempest, When the Lights Went Out and Nowhere to Belong ongoing
Theseus and the Minotaur from September 2008
Ambedkar from autumn 2008
The House of Bernarda Alba from late 2008