The Rise & Fall of Chugenlal Joshi

Press Release

Immediate:

Hathi Productions presents:

THE RISE AND FALL OF CHUGENLAL JOSHI

(A bi-lingual production – Gujarati and English)

Hathi Productions presents The Rise and Fall of Chugenlal Joshi at The Drum on Fri 13 Jun, 7:30PM. Noted as the Alf and ‘Silly Old Moo’ Garnet of the British Asian community, this new play is a vibrant, hilarious and poignant view of the lives of the increasingly elderly community in this country. Dissolution fights with aspiration, begrudging love with outspoken feelings as Mr and Mrs Joshi face their twilight years together. Follow their journey as they both attempt to fulfil very different dreams.

Hathi Productions is a member of the Independent Theatre Council and all of their Productions use a core of recognized actors alongside aspiring young artists/students from the Academy of British Asian Performance in Leicester. Hathi remains a young vibrant company whose enthusiasm for producing exciting colourful work for youth groups and young people across the region has been recognised; winning the fringe first award at the Edinburgh Festival, being twice showcased by the National Theatre, period in residence with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Last year Hathi had a huge success with ‘Musafaree’ which came second in the National Lottery Awards and also ‘School of Hard Rocks.’

Rise and Fall is written by Jez Simons; a dynamic and innovative director and producer who has worked within theatre, film, radio and TV. He was winner of the RSC Writer and Directors Award 1996; Artistic Director Designate Victims of Art and Mellor Arts (1998-2002) and former Diversity Writer for BBC Radio Drama Manchester. He has created work with prestigious venues such as Lyric Hammersmith, Leicester Haymarket, Soho Theatre, Commedia Brighton, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre. Equally he has written for most major continuing television Drama series including East Enders, Emmerdale, Family Affairs and Dream Team. His original work includes his screenplay ‘Dream Child’, produced by Lenny Henry for BBC 2. Currently he is working on his own Black Situation Comedy; ‘Sunday Dads’ for BBC2.

For the first time in 10 years Hathi’s acclaimed professional company join with the aspiring trainees of the Academy of British Asian Performance to bring you an unforgettable theatrical experience in The Rise and Fall of Chugenlal Joshi. Tickets are £6 (£4), call box-office on 0121 333 2444 or book online at www.the-drum.org.uk.

Ends

MEDIA CONTACT: Sati Parmar on 0121 333 2404 or e-mail: s.parmar@the-drum.org.uk.

Notes to Editors:

Jez Simons is also co-founder of Four Squared Ltd, a company dedicated to raising the profile of work by Black Artists and the Reduced Bollywood Company (RBC) currently resident at the Nottingham Fringe. Refusing to leave Leicester and join the ‘in’ crowd in London, Jez continues to devote a lot of his time to enabling aspiring Black and Ethnic Minority artists access to the mainstream Creative Industries. Work which goes conspicuously unrecognised in the Midlands, other than by the Young People who benefit from his commitment.