Kali Theatre Presents BITCHED at TRISTAN BATES WC2

The award-winning KALI THEATRE specialises in presenting new plays by South Asian female playwrights, a mission that has been instrumental in developing talent and taking powerful new work to increasing audiences and critical acclaim across the UK for the past 25 years.

From October 25th to November 11th KALI will present TALKBACK, a dynamic season of new work at London's Tristan Bates Theatre in Covent Garden including the premiere of 'BITCHED' by fast rising playwright Sharon Raizada and a slate of semi-staged play readings by new writers who have been developed through Kali's hugely popular Writer Development Programme.

Kali's Artistic Director, Helena Bell, says: "I'm really excited that we'll be back at Tristan Bates with such a strong programme of brand new plays. 'Bitched' is a pacey, contemporary drama about managing - and balancing - relationships and marriage, careers and parenthood that will appeal to a very wide audience. It's written with great heart and personal experience by Sharon Raizada who has a wonderful ear for dialogue and a sharp eye for character."

Sharon Raizada's play centres on the relationships and everyday lives of two couples - Rob and Ali, and Suzanne and Nirjay whose issues with love and marriage, parenthood and careers are aired and debated in an often heated atmosphere to ask the question: Can modern women have it all?

Playwright Sharon Raizada says: "Inspired by my own shock at becoming a mum, I want to look at the desires and tribulations of modern women through the polar opposites of Ali and Suzanne. 'BITCHED' takes a witty, unflinching look at our lives as we try to negotiate the stresses of 21st century work, sex and kids - asking is it an impossible task? Or does something have to give?"

Sharon's work has been supported and produced by Kali Theatre, Royal Court Theatre, Soho Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, Oval House Theatre, nowpressplay, ITV and BBC Radio 4. She is a graduate of the MPhil in Playwriting at Birmingham University and the Royal Court Critical Mass Writers' Programme. She was a member of the Royal Court Invitation Studio Group and has worked on Emmerdale and hit CBeebies show 'Apple Tree House'.

'Bitched' is directed by Juliet Knight whose many directing credits include: most recent directing credits include 'Zigger Zagger' by Peter Terson at Wiltons Music Hall with the National Youth Theatre, 'A Raison in the Sun' by Lorraine Hansberry with Synergy Theatre, 'Runts' by Izzy Tennyson at The Brighton and Camden Fringe Festival, 'Variety Hall' by Luke Barnes and 'Weekday Nights' by Luke Barnes UnicornTheatre and NYT and 'Cardboard Dad' by Alan Harris at Sherman Cmyru. 'A Just Act' by E V Crowe,

Clean Break Theatre Company. 'Prime Resident' by Stella Duffy at Soho Theatre.

Juliet's recent acting credits include 'Caught in the Net' by Ray Cooney at Vaudeville Theatre,'Tomorrow' by Sam Evans at The White Bear, 'The Smallest Story' by R J Wilkinson at The Kings Head, and 'Eastenders'/BBC.

Juliet is a lecturer at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and a regular tutor at Clean

Break, Generation Arts and Central. She is an Associate Director for The National Youth Theatre.

TALKBACK is the culmination of Kali's innovative Writer Development Programme through which the company discovers, inspires and develops original voices. From scripts submitted to an open callout a year earlier, writers are chosen to join the Writer Development Programme which includes writing workshops, discussions with guest writers and support form experienced dramaturgs.

Kali's success in developing and staging new plays is evident: 'Mustafa' by Naylah Ahmed was nominated for 4 Offies in the Off West End Theatre Awards as well as the Royal National Theatre Playwright Award; tour dates included a two week run at London's Soho Theatre. Sonali Bhattacharyya's play 'Home' was presented by Kali and led to a commission at Birmingham Rep and scripts for BBC series such as Eastenders and Holby City.

For more information visit www.kalitheatre.co.uk.

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