The Return Of The Honest Thief

The Return Of The Honest Thief

Prayas Theatre Company and TAPAC present an uproarious comedy CHARANDAS CHOR
Written by Habib Tanvir. Directed by Margaret-Mary Hollins and Ahi Karunaharan.

Regarded as their flagship work upon its debut in 2005, Prayas Theatre Company returns with this comedy -a work full of scandal, corruption and rural charm – perfect themes during an election year.

Charandas Chor: The Honest Thief comes back to Auckland from June 25th – 29th at TAPAC, with a lively fresh look at this Indian classic folk tale with an outstanding ensemble cast of 26 including live musicians with an original score.

Charandas the Chor is a charming thief who lives by duping and dodging the law. Despite this he is curiously a man of principles and loved by none other than the queen! Through his acts and deeds, “The Honest Thief” exposes the double standards of established institutions – religion, the state and class hierarchies.

The peak of playwright Habib Tanvir’s exploratory phase, Charandas Chor bucked conventions and redefined Indian theatre. Creating brand new idioms by bridging classic Indian stories with a contemporary flavour and using simple techniques his play retains a timeless quality, relevant to all.

Charandas Chor successfully brought rustic rural folk theatre to the urban audience; leaving an everlasting impression and earning the playwright the opportunity to present the work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1982, picking up the Fringe Firsts Award.

Adapted for English speaking audiences and staying as rooted to the original as possible, Prayas’ 2005 debut of this work marked the launching pad for the company. It managed to captivate Aucklanders with its blend of colourful costumes, rhythmic folk tunes and dances, vibrancy and, most of all, its earnest attempt at challenging the audience with questions on the existing social value base.

The company has gone from strength to strength over the nine years since, providing New Zealand with stories that resonate with audiences. Those audiences, in turn, have grown with each new production that bursts with energy with each tale presented – thus making Prayas both a continued success story and a treasure within New Zealand’s theatrical community.

“Prayas has established an authentic community based theatre that offers a rare opportunity to experience the vigorous folk culture that sustains India's performance traditions.”
– NZ Herald

“…honest, passionate, and insightful; an overwhelmingly moving experience”
– Theatrescenes (Rudali The Mourner)

CHARANDAS CHOR plays
25th – 29th June 2014 - Wed- Sat at 7.30 pm and matinée at 3 pm on Sat and Sun
TAPAC, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland
Tickets: $25 and $ 20 for group bookings of six and more
Bookings through TAPAC – www.tapac.org.nz or 09 845 0295 ext 1

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