Masala Monologues
THEATRE PERFORMANCES
The stories that took shape at our Masala Monologues® workshops over two years were shaped and transformed into these theatre performances. You’ll see for yourself how creating safe spaces where South Asian womxn can write their personal stories, from their culture – can be so powerful!
“It’s the closest I’ve seen my identity represented on stage, and that’s anywhere in the world.”
Masala Monologues at Rich Mix, East London
This show was performed at Rich Mix, London in April 2019, created by Soul Sutras® in collaboration with Loquitur Theatre. Our fabulous actors: Dee Stephen, Safiyya Ingar, Shireen Farkhoy, Sharita Oomer, Janaki Gerard as well as director Lou-Lou Mason of Loquitur Theatre & associate Amanda Bowen brought such energy and enthusiasm to the stories. The audience loved it, the feedback was super positive.
“I’ve never seen roles like this for South Asian female actors. And I’ve worked in this business for a while.”
– SHIREEN FARKHOY, ACTOR
Masala Monologues® show, The Design Museum, London
Masala Monologues® was proud to be part of the Emerge Festival 2019, at The Design Museum in London – as part of a collaboration with East London arts centre Rich Mix. This exclusive show used stories created with the actors, based on their own life experiences around growing up in the UK as South Asian womxn, with themes like racism and sexism. There were two interactive performances as part of Emerge Festival, both compelling & audience-disruptive performances.
CREDITS FOR SHOW AT RICH MIX, LONDON: ‣ Actors: Dee Stephen, Safiyya Ingar, Shireen Farkhoy, Sharita Oomer, Janaki Gerard ‣ Director: Lou-Lou Mason of Loquitur Theatre ‣ Associate Amanda Bowen
CREDITS FOR SHOW AT THE DESIGN MUSEUM, LONDON: Performed for the Emerge Festival 2019 ‣ Actors & Collaborators: Dee Stephen, Safiyya Ingar ‣ Videographer: Fahmida Islam (Instagram @mercury_dun)
WRITING WORKSHOPS IN THE UK & US
Masala Monologues workshops are safe spaces to explore our stories. Previous workshop attendees have called them “healing spaces.” And that’s exactly what they are. It’s a safe space for us to open up, talk to each other and explore the taboos as well as the richness that comes with being part of South Asian culture. We’ve run a series of writing workshops in London & the US over the past two years, where womxn came together, opened up to each other & wrote stories from their life experiences. These stories were then shaped and transformed into two theatre shows.
“Being asked to explore how my culture and sexuality intersected helped unlock things that I would’ve otherwise have left unexamined.”
What happens in a writing workshop?
In the workshops, you’ll learn to tap into deep personal cultural experiences. Stories about the taboos that you’ve faced in your life, told from your unique cultural point of view. You’ll be able to talk to others who totally “get it”. And turn your stories into monologues. Which could then feature in future theatre productions of Masala Monologues.
“Being asked to explore how my culture and sexuality intersected helped unlock things that I would’ve otherwise have left unexamined.”
– ALEX D’SA, MONOLOGUE CONTRIBUTOR
“Having the opportunity to explore how my sexual encounters have been shaped by my Asian heritage and family expectations was a liberating experience.”
– KARINA JAYARATNAM, MONOLOGUE CONTRIBUTOR
“Perspectives on sex and sexuality from the often unheard voices of South Asian women.”
