Nepalese Street Theatre represented at Liverpool International Theatre Festival

Malla will present an example of his work as part of the opening ceremonies for LITF on the evening of May 14.

Sarwanam Theatre Group was born in 1980 out of student protests against an oppressive regime. Today, Sarwanam has established itself as the leading theatre group of the Himalayan Kingdom. The pioneer of street theatre in Nepal, it has been successful in triumphing over the dominating rule of traditional and conventional proscenium theatre by introducing alternative theatre that requires little or no artificial props on the stage. Sarwanam emphasizes mime and symbolic body movements to express socially based stories in a distinctive style. The company has toured extensively within the country and to many festivals abroad including Korea, Hong Kong, China and the USA.

The scene Malla will offer is taken from his very famous Nepali play, "I Mean We." In this scene, the actor is being jailed for being accused of killing the person who raped his wife. The actor, Malla, will present the nine emotions that acting requires such as anger, happiness, sadness, astonishment and pride. According to a Hindu theory, a theory that may be applicable worldwide, acting includes these nine emotions. It is dialogue- based with one actor.

Later in the Festival, Malla will be offering a workshop demonstration to show how low cost theatre is realized in Nepal. He will use the method of forum theatre, where the actor is continuously performing in his own style without using any props. Through the actor’s symbolic body movement, various props are created. Malla pioneered this theory in Nepal when the country was still using lavish props and settings in the drama. He revolutionized Nepali theatre by using symbolic body movements that acted as props and settings. In his words, this act was not an experiment but a compulsion that arose due to lack of money. He will demonstrate this with the help of some audience members.

Workshops take place every morning during the upcoming Festival, which runs May 14-18 this spring. Watch for further details in the coming weeks and visit our website at www.litf.ca

Reservations may be made at the Astor Theatre Box Office, 59 Gorham Street, Liverpool. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone for tickets at 902.354.5250 or shop online at www.astortheatre.ns.ca.