Overview

Bilquis Bibi rules over her household with a rod of iron and a stifling love which cages her five daughters. Like butterflies forever cocooned, they long to shimmer and show their true colours.

When her second husband dies suddenly, Bilquis agrees for eldest girl Abida to become engaged to her nephew Pappo. He brings with him the hope of love and the American dream.

Bilquis turns a blind eye to the illicit nightly visits Pappo pays to his fiancée's balcony. But what will happen when she realises that more than one daughter is staying awake for him?

Following its sell-out production of A Fine Balance in 2006, Tamasha returns to Hampstead Theatre with a passionate interpretation of Federico García Lorca's masterpiece, The House of Bernarda Alba. Set in Pakistan's fertile Punjab region, it tells a personal yet subtly political story of small town lives with global ties.

Ila Arun plays the domineering matriarch Bilquis. A singer and an actress, Ila recently starred in Bollywood blockbuster Jodhaa Akbar and hit TV show Fame Gurukul, and will soon appear as Mrs Khan No. 1 in West is West, BBC Films' forthcoming sequel to East is East. She leads an all-female cast of nine, which also includes Indira Joshi (The Kumars at No. 42, Grumpy Old Women).

Read the rehearsal room blog: www.tamashablog.wordpress.com

Watch Tamasha's 21st birthday celebration videos, featuring Jimi Mistry and Raza Jaffrey: www.youtube.com/tamashablog

www.tamasha.org.uk


Small Lives, Global Ties: Tamasha 21

To celebrate their 21st birthday this year, Tamasha presents a small photographic exhibition of its 21 year history in the lower foyer, and a series of pre- and post-show events in conjunction with The House of Bilquis Bibi:

Reimagining Lorca in a South Asian Context
Thursday 5 August 2010, post-performance for approx 30 mins
Main House
Free to all ticket holders

Over Tamasha’s 21 year history, three of Lorca’s works have been used as the source for new plays. Why do Lorca’s works translate so well? Writer of The House of Bilquis Bibi Sudha Bhuchar discusses the question.

Directing The House of Bilquis Bibi

Tuesday 10 August 2010, post-performance for approx 30 mins
Main Auditorium
Free to all ticket holders
 
Kristine Landon-Smith has been co-artistic director of Tamasha since the company’s birth 21 years ago. Over this time she has developed a very specific directing practice, working with the actor's cultural context and language to nurture the individual personality and spirit of the performer. Kristine discusses directing The House of Bilquis Bibi along with cast members.

Modern Pakistan and The Art of Bilquis Bibi
Wednesday 11 August, 6.15-7.15pm
Michael Frayn Space
Free tickets for this event must be obtained from Box Office.

The House of Bilquis Bibi tells a personal, yet subtly political story of small town lives with global ties. Taking this idea as a starting point, prominent Asian artists will discuss modern Pakistan and the way its heritage and history has influenced their own work.