You don't want to sound stupid when you talk to 1 in 6 people do you?
May 01, 2014SYNOPSIS:
‘The Abridged History of Modern Day India’ is a look at the history of India from the time the British set foot to the time they left. It examines the treatment of Mother India by the white man and examines the treatment of the Indian Woman by the brown one. It looks at everything in between, in quick time.
Never allowing the audience to merely sit as silent bystanders, the two actors make every use of them to recreate battles, give life to revolts and present the stark reality of divides. Employing mad costume changes, live music, lewd dance, terrible ventriloquism and unprofessional habits on stage, Mohit Gautam and Naren Weiss leave no stone unturned in giving life to a country that gave life to so many.
ABOUT THE PLAY:
‘The Abridged History of Modern Day India’ is a look at the history of India from the time the British set foot to the time t...
"A Re-Education about India through Comedy"
April 14, 2014Why did you decide to write this piece?
Having written for Stray Factory for years now, I have a good sense of the type of theatre they look to produce. In particular, the concept of taking local content to global platforms is one that I, personally, buy into without a moment’s hesitation.
When they asked if I would write a piece, several thoughts came up but the one that stuck longest was the concept of giving western audiences a look at our past, our history and our culture. After entering into further discussions with Mohit, he spoke of how important a subject India in itself was and is.
The West, very often, has stereotypes and fixed thoughts of what India is and, even though these thoughts may be well-informed, they are not the same as what we Indians see, feel and experience on a day to day basis.
The truth is, India is a beautiful example of a continuous juxtaposition of life in all its glorious gorgeousness and base existence in all its filth...
"Leaving No stone unturned in giving life to a country that gave life to so many"
April 14, 2014100 words
The Abridged History of Modern Day India is a look at the history of India from the time the British set foot to the time they left. It examines the treatment of Mother India by the white man and examines the treatment of the Indian Woman by the brown one. It looks at everything in between, in quick time.
Never allowing the audience to merely sit as silent bystanders, the two actors make every use of them to recreate battles, give life to revolts and present the stark reality of divides. Employing mad costume changes, live music, lewd dance, terrible ventriloquism and unprofessional habits on stage, Mohit Gautam and Naren Weiss leave no stone unturned in giving life to a country that gave life to so many.
300 words
The Abridged History of Modern Day India is a look at the history of India from the time the British set foot to the time they left. It examines the treatment of Mother India by the white man and examines the treatment of the Indian Woma...
The Accidental Writer
April 14, 2014About the Writer (300 words)
Naren Weiss began his playwrighting career in Chennai in 2010, quite by accident. Because he never imagined he would have a career in the same, several of his early scripts have since been lost; having been tossed aside immediately after performances.
Over the years, he has made a name for himself with his plays, very often returning to plays deeply rooted in South Indian culture. His work has played across the Indian subcontinent as well as in Singapore. With this play, he makes his North American debut as playwright.
Apart from working as a playwright, Weiss has worked (in the realm of writing) as a lyricist, screenwriter, music journalist (Sony Music) and copywriter (Ogilvy and Mather).
...About the Actors
April 14, 2014BIOS
About the Actors:
Mohit Gautam (born 24 July, 1990) was born on Long Island, New York City; lived briefly in Delhi, and then returned to New York City. He is currently a student at Brooklyn College, in the process of getting his M.F.A. in Acting.
He graduated from Stony Brook University in New York where his credits include Laertes in Hamlet, an original production of Paul Robeson called Robeson, an original production discussing America’s racism called Perfect Union, and a devised work called The Environments Project. He has been involved with many readings and projects outside of school.
His professional credits include What Killed Marcelo Lucero directed by Margarita Espada and a reading at the Fire This Time Festival. He never imagined that he would one day be part of such a project. He is excited and most humbly grateful.
Naren Weiss (born 15 March, 1991) was born in Houston, grew up in San Antonio and was r...
