The Village - production images released of Art Malik, Anya Chalotra and the cast
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
PRODUCTION images have been released from the world premiere production of The Village. To view them, click here.
Previously Posted: Full casting has been announced for the world premiere of The Village, a new adaptation by April De Angelis of Lope de Vega’s Fuenteovejuna. The first production in Nadia Fall’s inaugural season as Artistic Director, it runs at the Theatre Royal Stratford East from September 13 (previews from September 7) to October 6, 2018.
Anya Chalotra as Jyoti and Art Malik as The Inspector lead the cast that also includes Harki Bhambra, Sudha Bhuchar, Ameet Chana, Neil D’Souza, Souad Faress, Rina Fatania, Naeem Hayat, Scott Karim, Arian Nik, Humera Syed and Ragevan Vasan.
Musicians include Nawazish Ali-Khan (Vocals, violin and harmonium), Robinkumar R Christian (Bansuri) and Keval Joshi (Percussion).
Transported to contemporary India, The Village is a powerful story of community, solidarity and the lengths each of us are willing to go to protect ourselves from tyranny. Vega’s masterpiece is given renewed urgency and was previously performed by Joan Littlewood and the Theatre Workshop in 1955.
Village life for Jyoti is simple: the people work hard, sing and live off the earth. She would much rather devour a delicious meal than think about a suitable partner. But when the Inspector and his men arrive back in town, things quickly begin to sour. The Inspector’s reign of terror sees him commit unspeakable acts against the village with young Jyoti in his sights, pushing everyone to breaking point. Will she dare scorn his advances?
Artistic Director, Nadia Fall, said: “The Village looks at the true cost of populism, how behind a smiling facade the manipulation and oppression of everyday people is taking place the world over. But there is a line when enough is enough, and what I love about this story is that it’s a young woman, an Indian village girl, a so called nobody, that cries out against the brutality and leads the uprising.”
Art Malik’s theatre credits include A Man For All Seasons and Equus (Liverpool Playhouse), Aliens (Soho Theatre), Art (Wyndham’s Theatre), Cymbeline (Royal Exchange), Destiny and Timon of Athens (Bristol Old Vic), Great Expectations (Royal Exchange, Manchester), Indian Ink (Aldwych Theatre), Othello (Royal Shakespeare Company), Romeo and Juliet, The 88 Prospect and The Government Inspector (The Old Vic), The Seagull (Royal Court Theatre/Broadway) and Trial Run (Young Vic/Oxford Playhouse).
His recent television credits include The Woman in White, Bancroft, Sherlock IV, Coldfeet, Goodness Gracious Me special, Indian Summers series 2, Arthur and George, Undercover, Homeland series 4, Borgia, New Tricks, Upstairs Downstairs, Masterpiece Mystery, Poirot, The Nativity, Ben Hur and Lewis. His recent film work includes Halal Daddy, The Escape, The Infiltrator, Diana, Bhaag Mikha Bhaag, John Carter, Ghosted, Mirzya, Sex and the City 2, Wolfman, Hotel and Franklyn.
Anya Chalotra is a recent graduate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her theatre credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe). She has also appeared on television in The ABC Murders, Sherwood and Wanderlust.
The Village is directed by Nadia Fall and designed by Joanna Scotcher, with lighting by Paul Pyant, movement direction by Polly Bennett, sound by Helen Atkinson and fight direction by RC-Annie. Composer is Niraj Chag.
The Village is suitable for ages 14+.
Tickets: From £10 – available online at www.stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/the-village.
To celebrate the opening of the new season and continuing Theatre Royal Stratford East’s commitment to accessibility and welcoming new audiences into the building, a new preview ticket initiative has been announced. During previews all seats for The Village and The Wolves will be priced at £10 and £5 for Newham residents.
Times: 7.30pm (matinees on select days at 2.30pm).
BSL Performance: Thursday, October 4 at 7.30pm.
Captioned Performance: Friday, October 5 at 7.30pm.
Audio Described Performance: Saturday, October 6 at 2.30pm.