THE PERFUME GARDEN
After ten years, Rajendra Moodley’s hit play THE PERFUME GARDEN is returning to Melbourne for a strictly limited season at Chapel off Chapel’s main stage.
The show features 9 dance numbers, presented as opulent fantasies, with a dance cast of 15, in stunning Bollywood costumes from India. Choreographed by Jagritti Bhatia, featuring dancers from Ignite Bollywood and The Victorian State Ballet Company. The production is directed by Paul Watson with lighting design by Jason Bovaird.
Described by The Age reviewer Cameron Woodhead in 2007 as “A fragrant curry of magical realism, romantic comedy and subcontinental satire…it’s funnier and more lively than ever”, this newly revamped production is sure delight all audiences.
Set in an outer suburban spice shop, THE PERFUME GARDEN explores some of multiculturalism’s absurdities. Chitra and Satya want nothing more than to see their aging son Anand settle down, get married and take over the family business. His girlfriend Devi seems to be the perfect match: also 30+, Devi has also been dodging a bullet most of her adult life. The play opens on their ‘proposal day’ (the first part of an Indian wedding). However, Anand is reluctant to set a date for the engagement, let alone the wedding. His parents feel that time is running out: not just for Anand as a ‘catch’… but also for them as they become older and suffer ill health. They use Ayah as a metaphor for what lies ahead.
Anand is hapless. A writer/ actor, who clearly has been unsuccessful in his career. He has moved back home. But for his own ‘independence’, he has relocated to the granny flat at the back of the shop. He lives his life in his head. His only escape from the mundane life of selling spices, is to fantasize about being in his own Bollywood movie.
He dabbles with perfumes. Believing the Indian exotic oils his father used to sell, have both medicinal and magical powers. He is forced into looking after an old lady named Ayah. She is a distant relative (by marriage). Ayah is an 80 year old stroke victim. Through the magical perfumes, Anand releases Ayah as a genie. She tries to unleash the the aspects of him that have been supressed. Bringing the fantasy into reality. Her job is to ‘bring a blessing’ to him. She does this by making him see what is inside. Ayah unleashes havoc on the family: creating magical perfumes that have unusual side effects!
The cast is made up of Indian (and Sri Lankan) actors. Vishwajeet Pradhan, a well known Bollywood actor will head the cast as Satya with Anshu Amol Adrekar portraying his wife Chitra. Rajendra Moodley plays their son Anand and his love interest Devi is performed by Sacha Joseph. The mystical Aya will be channelled by Khema de Silva.
THE PERFUME GARDEN has been considerably reworked and rewritten since it last appeared in Melbourne in 2007. It is more topical and relevant to both the Indian community, and all migrant communities. The themes of identity and belonging, along with the themes of family, and love, are even stronger than ever.
DETAILS
2–13 AUGUST
THE CHAPEL – CHAPEL OFF CHAPEL, 12 LITTLE CHAPEL ST, PRAHRAN
7.30pm: Tuesday – Saturday | 2:00pm Matinee Saturday and 6.30pm Sunday
Tickets: $59 Full, $49 Concession, $45 Saturday Matinee Performances, $39 Preview Performance 2 August
Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au or 03 8290 7000.
Website: theperfumegarden.com.au
