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This play contains some strong language
Special Dates
- After Dark : Tue 9 March, Thu 11 March, Thu 18 March
Kali Theatre and Black Country Touring in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre present
Behna (Sisters)
Wed 3 Mar 2010 – Sat 27 Mar 2010
Weoley Park Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham
By Sonia Likhari
NEW DATES JUST ADDED
Due to popular demand we have added extra dates to the run of Behna – from Mon 22 to Sat 27 March.
Do book quickly though – the site-specific nature of the play means that there are extremely limited tickets available at each performance…
A sister is both a curse and a blessing…
In the Cheema’s kitchen, it’s Ladies’ Sangeet Night. Dal is sweating over the samosas, Mum and Masi ji fuss over the bride to be, and Simi flirts with her brother-in-law, who’s busy eyeing up the guests…
Fast-paced, funny and moving, Behna (Sisters) looks through the keyhole of a family home to reveal the secrets and lies of two generations. As the celebrations peak, truth, jealousy and history unfold and the sisters struggle to deal with more than pathooray and pakora.
This site-specific production will take place in the real kitchen of a home on Weoley Park Road Birmingham creating a unique, intimate and lively piece of theatre.
You will receive the full address by email or post after you have booked – please telephone the Sales Team on 0121 236 4455 if you have not received this information two days before the performance you have booked.
Getting There
Weoley Park Road is directly off the Bristol Road.
By train: Selly Oak Station (approx 20 minute walk)
By Bus: 21 to Weoley Park Road, or 61, 62 or 63 to Bristol Road
By Car: The REP cannot guarantee parking at the venue. Weoley Park Road has no parking restrictions although we ask drivers to be considerate of residents and not park on the slip road.
Can’t make the show?
Behna will be webcast live on Sat 20 March from 7pm. Watch and get ideas for your own Behna party from www.bctouring.co.uk/behna.
| Date | Time | Date information |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 3rd Mar | 19:30 | |
| Thu 4th Mar | 14:30 | |
| Thu 4th Mar | 19:30 | |
| Mon 8th Mar | 19:30 | |
| Tue 9th Mar | 19:30 | After Dark |
| Wed 10th Mar | 19:30 | |
| Thu 11th Mar | 14:30 | After Dark |
| Thu 11th Mar | 19:30 | |
| Mon 15th Mar | 19:30 | |
| Tue 16th Mar | 19:30 | |
| Wed 17th Mar | 19:30 | |
| Thu 18th Mar | 14:30 | |
| Thu 18th Mar | 19:30 | After Dark |
| Mon 22nd Mar | 19:30 | |
| Tue 23rd Mar | 19:30 | |
| Wed 24th Mar | 19:30 | |
| Thu 25th Mar | 19:30 | |
| Sat 27th Mar | 14:30 | |
| Sat 27th Mar | 19:30 |
- Mum: Sandeep Garcha
- Dal: Shaleen Hudda
- Simi: Hema Mangoo
- Jag: Simon Nagra
- Masi Ji: Ansuya Nathan
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Comments
Sarah from birmingham
This was the most fantastic theatre experience I have ever had. The concept of the performance, design of the performance area, audience interaction with the cast, the acting, script, and direction were all outstanding. I'd have gone to see a second performance if I'd been quick enough to book before they sold out. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Bal from Wolverhampton
Absolutely brilliant, well done to all involved! This was my first experience of watching a play in a domestic setting and it was great. It provided the intimacy needed to explore the family tensions with such accuracy. The play was 'spot on' with no exaggerations of family tensions and sibling rivalry. This should definitely go on tour....more people need to see this, it's a must!
Ayesha Mehrban from Birmingham
Being invited into the family home, with the actors already in their role, immediately draws the audience in. You almost feel asthough you have accompanied a friend to a pre wedding party but you personally do not know the family. When we were asked to join in with the singing and dancing, I felt that this was a great ice breaker. Although there are five characters in the play, there is mention of other characters. They are described so clearly that you feel the presence of these characters too. I believe that the beauty of this play is that regardless of culture or background, everyone can relate to it at some point. It's about relationships after all! Sitting in the audience yet so close to the cast, adds to the realism of the play because one can smell the spices and hear all of the not so loud kitchen sounds. I think the irony of this surreal experience is that we are invited and warmly welcomed into this 'family home' and the happy vibrant atmosphere is so catching - if I can use that word. However, just like in the real world, once you pass that and go 'behind the scenes' there is a totally different feel. Finally I would like to add that apart from a few swear words, I was actually pleasantly surprised that the play was so clean and a real family play. I would happily allow my thirteen year old to watch this. I missed the live webcast, is there anyway that I can view that on the net?
Fiona Kessedjian from Birmingham
This evenings performance of Behna was amazing. The cast were fantastic, particularly the intense and compelling role of Dal. Delicious pakora, where can I get them?
Steph from The REP
Wow thank you all for your great comments! To answer Fiona's question - the Pakoras aren’t home made by Dal for health and safety reasons, but delivered by Munchies takeaway/diner which is opposite Sainsburies on the Bristol Rd. Ali and his team have done us a very good deal and the Masala fish is AMAZING (get grilled).
Sabs from Birmingham
What a great evening! We arrived at the house in Selly Oak to be greeted by the 'Behna' family with pakoras and sweets, as if arriving at a family party. The play 'proper' took place in the kitchen, with an audience of about 25 - it was a really tight, well written piece - with moving performances from the cast showing the real tensions that exist in any families with sisters. The proximity to the action, the use of the real house all added to the evening - it was an enjoyable night out and I for one would love to see more of this kind of programming....well done everyone!