devised by the Company

Lighting by Mark Doubleday
Designed by Archana Hande

Conceived and directed by
Michael Walling

original production (2003) in association with Watermans
2004 tour presented in association with Phoenix Arts

Cast includes:
Indian Yakshagana star Radhkarishna Urala

"When I dance, I am a woman."

Amrit, a young Asian dancer, is captivated by the folk theatre form Yakshagana, where men traditionally perform the female roles. When he suddenly disappears to India, his English lover Linda flies to Bangalore to find him.

Told in a cinematic style, surprising and moving stories unravel gradually from the point of view of our two protagonists. Linda, who has never been to India, finds that everything is not what it seems on the surface; while Amrit discovers the more complex reality of what dance has told him about body and soul....

Orientations seamlessly interweaves myth and present day narrative to tell a tale of gender and sexuality in present day India. A powerful and sexy mixed media production.

"... a rich theme.... a versatile production, as many-limbed as a Hindu god" (Time Out)

The play has been created through workshops with the cast in Bangalore, and with Asian community groups in London. Partners include The Naz Project, London for lesbians and gay men from ethnic minority communities, and The Awaaz Youth Group.

Click here for tour dates and booking information

Click here to read the reviews

Click here to read a sample scene from the play

Click here to read Michael Walling's discussion of the play with Gill Jaggers

Click here to read Pritham K. Chakravarthy's account of the devising process

Click here to find out more about Yakshagana

Click here to buy the text of Orientations