Naseer's singing role in London

Vivek Fernandes

Actor Naseeruddin Shah and his wife Ratna Pathak-Shah are excited about their forthcoming international theatrical project, a play written by Girish Karnad called Bali - The Sacrifice. The play will be staged at the Leicester Hay Market theatre in London, in June.

Currently working on their home production Ismat Aapa Ke Naam, in Delhi from March 21, the husband-wife duo will also tour London with the play from April 25 to May 5.

"Girish Karnad called to ask if we'd be interested in this particular project and we jumped at the idea," says an excited Ratna. "Both Naseer and I had acted in the an earlier version of Bali - The Sacrifice when it was staged in Mumbai many years ago."

"The story revolves around a king, his queen, the king's mother and an elephant-keeper --- a mahout who is a wonderful singer and is the catalyst of the plot. Naseer and I were earlier cast as the king and queen. This time, I will play the king's mother and Naseer will be the mahout," she adds.

Bali - The Sacrifice is one of Karnad's earlier works and is inspired from Somadeva Suri's epic though some parts have been modified and rewritten for this stage adaptation.

The play will be helmed by Nona Shepphard, a well-known director who has, to her credit, productions like The Tempest, The Snow Queen and The Secret Garden. Designed by Marsha Roddy, it has Dr Vayu Naidu as commissioning producer. Bali - The Sacrifice will open at the Leicester HayMarket theatre on May 30 and will run till June 15.

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