MELA
Press Release
Immediate:
West Yorkshire Playhouse presents MELA at The Drum on Thu 17 – Fri 18 Jul, 7:30PM. Mela is a tale of friendship, aspirations and destiny written by Bradford born Tajinder Singh Hayer and directed by Alex Chisholm.
“Undeniable talent”
YORKSHIRE EVENING POST on Tajinder Singh Hayer
Mela is the Indian name used for a summer festival. The Mela play follows the stories of a few characters at the Mela: Troy, just back from Iraq and trying to be the model British soldier; his old friend Ranjit ready for a display of Sikh martial arts; and Sajjad and Mariam exchanging barbed comments over his Al-Aqsa mosque calendars and her hand-made pottery. And then there’s Angela who, from the comfort of the Ferris-wheel, quietly observes them all as an unexpected event throws together old friends and new found enemies.
Taj has lived in Bradford all his life and for the last five years he has been able to earn his living as a writer. His first full length drama, PLAYERS was a sell-out at the West Yorkshire Playhouse (WYP) in 2006. For MELA Taj practically camped at last years huge Mela in Bradford interviewing stall holders and the community. The results of these conversations can now be seen on the stage interwoven with the eclectic characters in the play.
“The Mela seemed like an inherently theatrical space, both professional and for people to display themselves in a social setting; a place where different groups of people who might live very separate lives bump into each other, which seemed like a recipe for Drama.”
TAJINDER SINGH HAYER
Mela has been programmed as part of The Drum’s CREATIVE HOOD SEASON; a series of events, from powerful emotive theatre, funky spoken word and poignant exhibitions. Creative Hood seeks to explore contemporary Black issues from Britain’s inner cities which is also a centre of creative energy that challenges these negative Black representations.
Tickets are £11 (£9), call box-office on 0121 333 2444 or book online at www.the-drum.org.uk. Early Bird: All Tickets £8 before 10 Jul. Group bookings for 9 or more, get 1 free.
Ends
MEDIA CONTACT: Sati Parmar on 0121 333 2404 or e-mail: s.parmar@the-drum.org.uk.
