Theatre

Basmati Bitch By Ankita Singh

In the neonlit streets of futurist Aotearoa, an ex-MMA fighter discovers you can’t ever really escape the past. A self-aware, neo-noir action-crime-comedy full of whacky fourth-wall-breaking characters, slick dance and stage combat.

$30 - $84 (Service fees may apply)
90 Minutes
11 July - 5 August 2023

Five more shows added due to popular demand and rave reviews! 


 

When retired fighter, Shiva, is dragged into the world of illegal MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighting by bored overworked Bisma, the last thing they expect is to be embroiled in the contraband black market. 

But that's exactly what happens when they end up in massive debt to basmati baron Toby, 'The King'. They have seven days to acquire a truckload of rice, or else...

Set in an alternate reality where ethnic dietary staples, like rice, are banned due to crop disease and closed borders, Basmati Bitch transports us to a heightened reality of contested borders, exploited migrant workers and a crumbling empire. 

A self-aware, neo-noir action-crime-comedy full of whacky fourth-wall-breaking characters, slick dance and stage combat.

Nightclubs double as fight clubs, dairies have rice bunkers and Aunties scheme away in their mahjong dens. 

Strap in, it's gonna be a wild ride.

A collaboration between SquareSums&Co, Oriental Maidens and Auckland Theatre Company.

"a visually spectacular, fast-paced firecracker of a show." (Theatre Scenes)

"huge in ambition" (Red Raven News)

"abrasive and wickedly funny." (Red Raven News)

"intoxicating spectacle" (Theatre Scenes)

ADVISORY: Contains strong language, haze and flashing lights. 
LATECOMERS: Latecomers will be admitted during the first 5 minutes of the show, after which there will be a lockout

Director:
Ahi Karunaharan அகிலன்

Creative Team:
Andrew Bancroft - Script Advisor
Te Aihe Butler - Composer & Sound Designer 
Bradley Gledhill - Production Designer, Filament Eleven 11 
Dayna Grant - Fight Choreographer, New Zealand Stunt School
Nathan Joe 周润豪 - Dramaturg 
Rachel Marlow - Production Designer, Filament Eleven 11
Alyssa Medel - Associate Producer, SquareSums&Co 
Ankita Singh अंकिता सिंह - Playwright 
Imuy Teav ទាវ អុីមុយ - Costume Designer, Teav Studios 
Jane Yonge - Dramaturg & Production Aunty

Cast: 
Celine Dam Dảm My Linh - Refugee, Aunty 2, Goon 2, Fighter, Poet
Rob Gibson - Witkun
Amanda Grace Leo 梁宿娴 - Supervisor, Aunty 1, Goon 1, Fighter, Mum and Guard
Karishma Grebneff करिश्मा ग्रेबनेफ - Bisma 
Gemma-Jayde Naidoo - Shiva
Mo Nasir - Taj
Mel Odedra - Toby 
Tian Tan - Jin 
Dennis Zhang - Goon, Guard, Task officer

Ways To Save:
$30 for 30 and Under
If you’re 30 or younger, and love theatre, you can buy a $30 ticket to Basmati Bitch. Presentation of appropriate ID will be required.

Concession Pricing
Concession tickets are available for people who are 30 years old or younger, Community Services Card holders, full-time students and members of recognised entertainment organisations. Presentation of appropriate ID will be required.

Pick B Reserve
All our seats are great, but B Reserve is a great way to save, too.

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