The Ankur Ha Ha

Two new plays by Nalini Chetty and Lou Prendergast

19, 20 & 21 September, 7.30pm
Citizens Theatre, Circle Studio
(Recommended for 16+)

Press Night: Friday 20th September, 7.30pm

Ankur Productions in association with The Citizens Theatre are delighted to present this double bill production of two new plays; Finding Noor by Nalini Chetty and Fifty Shades of Black by Lou Prendergast.

The Ankur Ha Ha is a platform for developing new work by artists examining The Black and Minority Ethnic experience.

Nalini Chetty and Lou Prendergast were both part of the Ankur Ha Ha 2012 programme which allows artists to explore and experiment with new approaches to their work in a scratch night format. They have subsequently been commissioned to develop their new writing into full length performances with mentoring from Ankur and the Citizens Theatre. 

Chetty’s work is inspired by the extraordinary life of Noor Inayat Khan. She was an Indian princess; a Sufi who wrote Buddhist fables for children; an anti-imperialist who spied for the British Empire and the first female operator in Nazi occupied France. This piece, a rehearsed reading, will be directed by Guy Hollands, Associate Director of the Citizens.

Prendergast’s Fifty Shades of Black is one woman’s ironic probe into shifting power relations across sex, race, class and history. Part reggae gig, part autobiographical monologue, the anecdotal meets the academic in this interweaving exploration of Scottish-Caribbean connections; from within her own family; to wider historical contexts of slavery; to modern day exploitation and the sexual politics of the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon.

This year’s Ha Ha mentors for the Citizens programme are:
• Shabina Aslam, Artistic Director Ankur Productions
• Guy Hollands, Associate Director The Citizens Theatre

Notes for Editors
The Ankur Ha Ha: Finding Noor and Fifty Shades of Black
Citizens Theatre, Circle Studio
19, 20 & 21 September | 7.30pm | £10 (£6)
Box Office: 0141 429 0022

Previous reviews for Ankur Ha Ha artist Lou Prendergast.

“Whatever Happened to Harry (****) was a wee cracker of a show. But sitting inside the darkened car (parked in Midland Lane); with writer/performer Lou Prendergast assuming different characters to conjure a sense of her estranged father, Harry, made the pulses race and the nerves tingle – wow!”
Mary Brennan, Herald Scotland, 2nd October 2012

Contact
For press review and ticket requests contact the General Manager cheryl.strong@ankurproductions.org.uk or phone 0141 559 4935

About Ankur
Ankur Productions is the only organisation in Scotland dedicated to enabling Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) artists and audiences to produce and/ or participate in world class contemporary performance.  It achieves this through the production and innovative participation opportunities for marginalised audiences and through providing leadership and advocacy for BAME arts practise in Scotland.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnkurArts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ankur.arts
Blog: http://blog.ankurproductions.org.uk

We would like to thank the following funders, without whom this project would not be possible: Creative Scotland and Glasgow City Council.

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