Mike Kenny's play to be staged in city next week

Butai, a newly launched city-based theatre group, will stage their debut production at Ranga Shankara next week. Called ‘Bag Dancing’, it premiered in September.

The English play is written by the well-known UK-based writer Mike Kenny who specialises in young people’s theatre.

The 60-minute play is written keeping young audiences in mind, says director Ujwala Rao.

‘Bag Dancing’ is a story of two characters, Imelda and Neville. Imelda is an older woman who has survived the Holocaust. She is from Austria and is now a ‘bag lady’ — a derogatory term used in the UK for homeless women. “But the playwright doesn’t use it in a derogatory sense,” Ujwala adds. Neville works as a caretaker at a homeless shelter and is dealing with his mother’s mental health issues. 

Actors Surabhi J Herur and B V Shrunga play the two contrasting characters. While Imelda is bold and questions the authorities, Neville believes not everybody is meant to dream.

Conversations surrounding mental health, alcoholism and homelessness are explored through the play. “These problems are often individualised. The playwright focuses on society’s responsibility,” Ujwala adds.

She says the play can work as a conversation-starter for parents and teachers who want to talk about political changes and discrimination with children. “It’s important to make children aware of what’s happening around them and make them empathetic to it,” she adds.

‘Bag Dancing’ on December 18, 7.30 pm at Ranga Shankara, J P Nagar. For children 8 years and above and adults. Tickets online.