THIS MIGHT BE SATIRE PRODUCTIONS Presents TAMASHA O’ TAMASHA June 7-11, 2023 D.F. Cook Hall Based on and inspired by the work of the great Gursharan Singh Bhaji. Original Production Produced by This Might Be Satire Productions: Director/Playwright Azal Dosanjh Set and Prop Design Brenda Vaca Costume Design Alison Kate Helmer Lighting Design Julian Smith Sound Design + Composition Julian Smith Stage Manager Lucas Ings-Simms Assistant Stage Manager/Production Assistant Audrey Gerow Assistant Director Andrew Tremblett Assistant Director Cheney-Lynne Emberg
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DIRECTOR’S NOTE At this moment, in this iteration, this cannot be a director's note alone. In conjunction, it is also a translator's note and a playwright’s note. I started translating Gursharan Singh Bhaiji's work in 2018. Five to six short political satires written by him in Punjabi were used to essentially craft this original story of Tamasha O Tamasha. Late Bhaji Gursharan Singh is perhaps the most influential figure in Punjabi theatre. His work and philosophy are important; therefore, they need to be spread through other theatre cultures around the world. The biggest challenge along this journey was on how to make these different plays, albeit short plays satirizing different things, work as one story. Andy Jones had helped me in 2020 with my first translations of Laare and Rahat. In 2021, Dalbir Singh helped me as my dramaturge through PARC with two more of the plays. In early 2022, Guillermo Vertechia came on board as a script consultant/dramaturge to help do the very task of turning this into one story. Without him, or Andy or Dalbir this show would not exist. The actors have worked increasingly hard and tirelessly through the workshops and the rehearsal process to make this production come to life. The people behind the scenes, the designers have done incredible work. This show is built by all of these people. This project is also only possible because of the economical support from our funders, sponsors, and wider St. John’s arts community. This script does not exist. It is not conceived or even thought of without Gursharan Singh Bhaji. So, what is Tamasha O Tamasha trying to do? Bhaji used to say, If you don't ask questions to our society, why do theatre? If theatre's mission, if we collectively decide that this mission, is to ask society questions or to simply adopt the philosophy of 'theatre is change' – how is that mission possible if the first step to make that happen is to make sure theatre is not commodified? We have a massive hole when it comes to distribution of theatre amongst the people who have been disconnected or are unaware of the idea that 'theatre is change'. Theatre has become an art form that you need to indulge in certain sectors, under certain conditions, under certain capital. It is hard, very hard to work outside those bounds that capitalistic theatre has created for this industry. Initially, when I moved to Canada and realized that people actually pay to go see theatre, I was mesmerized. However, that mesmerization quickly faded. Where I grew up, paying to see theatre was not a thing. Maybe once in a blue moon, a national tour of some celebrity-infested show would come along selling actual tickets. I will not get into the complexities of why that was (or still is), but it certainly was not because the companies already had enough money. Money simply did not exist - at least not in the way the North American arts ‘economy’ operates with ‘money’. As a child, when I would go to watch a live show, especially a popular one, I would go down and sit on the floor next to the already filled front row. The whole theatre would be packed any second, and I didn’t want to miss any action sitting all the way back in the last row. Many others would join me on the floor, of course. Theatre halls brimming with people, the mysticism of intense drama, hysterical laughs, the collective breath of the room - all of it overspilling from seats and cascading the entire theatre. A little gross, a little "fuck safety regulations," but a lot of… fun. That’s one part of the kind of theatre I grew up watching and participating in. This project is also a culmination of my understandings and perceptions of two culturally unique and amazing but broken systems, and a search for the place between and inside them. Through these last 5 years of consciousness - sprinkled with a historical pandemic - amidst chaos, political shenanigans, and societal changes and cycles, one thing has emerged clearer than all others: we are going through some shit, y’all. While this journey of understanding and need for action shall go on, I have at the moment only this show and only one thing to say: The downtrodden shall not remain so forever. All theatre should be free. AND All artists must be paid fairly. Finally, I leave you all to allow yourself laughter. Then after, allow yourself to engage in conversations, to put questions, and to look around yourself and ask why? Thank you for coming, I hope you enjoy the show. -Azal Dosanjh
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE CAST (in order of appearance) Zachary Cross………………………...Milky, Gou/Fool,Ravioli, Worker 4/Leader, Gill Lonni Patey…………………………….DD, Latim, Citizen 3,Helga, Doctor, Worker 3, Minister of Finance Spencer Bellows…………….Al, Tilim, Citizen 2, Villager, Worker 1, RCMP, Nurse, Minister of Defence Yejide……………….Sherry, Elim, Citizen 1, Worker 2, Nurse 2, Minister of Health Owen Van Houten…………………………………Master, The Veteran Fool, The King Cheney-Lynne Emberg…………..Ticket Collector, Sailor, Stooge 1, Court Guard 1 Andrew Tremblett………………….Minister Bobby Rob, Stranger Danger, Mugger, Stooge 2, Minotaur, Court Guard 2 Komaljeet Kaur…………………………………………Receptionist, Drummer, Minister of Culture
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ACT SUMMARY ACT 1 Scene 1: Pinky Promise………………………………………………………………….Milky, DD, Al, Sherry Scene 2: The Master……………………….Gou, Tilam, Latim, Elim, Master, Ticket Collector, Sailor ACT 2 Scene 3: Flood…………………………………………………..Gou/Fool/Gill, Master, Citizens 1-3, Sailor Scene 4: The City………………………….Master, Citizens 1-3, Gou/Fool, Stranger Danger, Mugger Scene 5: Montage……………………………………………………………………………….Gou/Fool, Master Scene 6: Relief……………………Constable Ravioli, Inspector Helga, Minister Bobby Rob, Villager Scene 7: Officer and Fool……………………………………………………………RCMP, Gou/Fool, Master Scene 8: A Bar………………………………………………………….The Veteran Fool, Gou/Fool, Master Scene 9: Hospital……………….Gou/Fool, Receptionist, Master, Nurse, Doctor, Minotaur, Nurse 2 ACT 3 Scene 10: In the Jail………………………………………………………………….Gou/Fool, Guard, Master ACT 4 Scene 11: King’s Court……………………………………………………….Gou/Fool, Master, Guards 1+2 Scene 12: Crisis or No Crisis………………Workers 1-4, Drummer, The King, Stooge 1+2, Leader Scene 13: Apprehended………………………………..Guard 1+2, Ministers, Gou/Fool, Master, King ACT 5 Scene 14: Back in the Village…………………………………………………………………………..Gou/Fool Scene 15: Mad………………………………………………………………………………………………………Gill
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHO’S WHO Zachary Cross Lonni Patey Zachary Cross is a comedian/ aspiring osteopath who loves to research the body, how it works, and how to stop his body from aching after sleeping in a weird position the whole night. When not performing jokes with his friends and researching the difference biceps in the body, you can find Zac slammin weights, and doing handstand obstacle courses at your local Crossfit gym.Zachary now resides in Nova Scotia where he dearly misses his dog Zazu, hus 6 chickens, and his ferrier Girlfriend Maggie Jane From Down The Lane. Lonni Patey is an artist currently based in St. John’s, NL, and is a Grenfell Alumni with a BFA. Since then she has Lonni worked professionally as an actor in theatre and film with select credits including; Lara on Surrealestate (film) and Pantaloona in One Servant Two Masters (theatre). She has since come onto the scene as an emerging NL playwright. Lonni wrote her first play "Today I..." in 2021. Since then she has written with a sketch comedy show and has another full length play in progress through Meghan Greeley's playwriting course at MUN. Lonni hopes to continue writing,acting, directing, and most of all making people laugh. (Which she hopes to do in Tamasha O’ Tamasha, come and see to find out!)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHO’S WHO Spencer Bellows Yejide Emioladipupo Spencer (he/they) is a St. John's-based performer and producer. He recently served in both of those roles--and wrote a little as a well--as a founding member of the sketch comedy troupe, Bicycle Jousting, with their debut show "Quick! While They're Not Looking". Other selected theatrical credits include "The Cherry Orchard" (Shakespeare by the Sea), The Codcast LIVE! (Halfhandsome), Güd Guffaw (Güd Productions), Jeremy Nolan's "End-Stage" (St. John's Shorts), “The Boor” (Aariz Theatre, St. John’s Shorts), "The Sound of Music" (Opera on the Avalon), and "Lippy" (Theatre Paradok, Edinburgh Festival Fringe). Off the stage and on the screen, they've appeared in “Hudson & Rex” and performed in and produced several short films for the various Nickel 48-Hour Challenges. He's been earnestly following the development of “Tamasha, O Tamasha” and is honoured to be a part of this, its premiere production. Yejide is a multifaceted talent, with a thirst for artistic growth in the world of stage acting. While not a full-time actor, her passion for the art form has driven her to explore the realms of storytelling and performance on various theatrical platforms. She has eagerly immersed herself in workshops, community theater projects, and collaborative endeavors, consistently striving to evolve as an actor. These experiences have allowed her to explore a wide range of characters and genres, adding depth and versatility to her repertoire.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHO’S WHO Owen Van Houten Cheney-Lynne Emberg Owen is an actor, drummer and Foley artist hailing from Toronto. He first came to Newfoundland in 2005 to train as an actor at SWGC in Corner Brook, and began working at theatre festivals around the island in 2008, appearing on stages and hills in Trinity, Grand Bank, and Cupid's. Owen developed skills as a drummer at Ontario College of Percussion, and upon finally making the move to St. John's he has found a new niche as a Foley artist, which blends his passions of acting, film and percussion. Owen is also an amateur boxer with an even record of 4 wins and 4 losses. Cheney Emberg is an actor, director, comedian, and collage-er from Houston, Texas. Yeehaw. They have a B.S. in Liberal Arts concentrated on Theatre, Philosophy, and English, and before they moved to Newfoundland they had been a performer in Texas for over 10 years. In the year that they’ve lived in St. John’s, Cheney’s done stand-up, sketch comedy, Shakespeare by the Sea’s Coriolanus (as Coriolanus), directed and acted for several of the St. John’s Shorts, worked as T.A to Mal Clarke and Jamie Skidmore in MUN’s Beginning Acting and Directing courses, starred in a few short films, and acted in multiple play workshops. They currently work as a forager/ salesperson for the local jewelry-maker Velvet Snow and are directing Much Ado About Nothing with Shakespeare by the Sea.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHO’S WHO Andrew Tremblett Komaljeet Kaur Andrew Tremblett is a St. John’s based actor and director, who has been performing contemporary and classical theatre across Newfoundland. In 2015, Tremblett received his BFA in Acting for Stage at Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus. Following his degree in 2016, he went on to study with The Second City Training Center in Chicago, Illinois and Toronto, Ontario. Tremblett has acted with several theatre companies over the years, including Beyond The Overpass, Rising Tide Theatre and Perchance Theatre in Cupids (New World Theatre Project). His most notable credits include: Edward Young - Two Planks And A Passion (2013), Tuzenbach - Three Sisters (2013), Bernard - Boeing Boeing (2014), Frankie - A Lie Of The Mind (2014), Romeo - Romeo and Juliet (2015), Feste - Twelfth Night (2016), Tranio - The Taming of the Shrew (2017), Puck - A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2018), Konstantin - The Seagull (2018), Octavius - Julius Caesar (2019), and Pantalone - The Servant of Two Masters (2019), Aaron Lenord - West Moon (2021). Tremblett is also known for his acting, writing, and directing with the St. John’s based comedy theatre troupe Halfhandsome who has performed productions in cities like Toronto, Chicago, and New York City. Komaljeet Kaur has been acting since 2020, primarily in TV and film. She is enthusiastic about theatre, and entertaining the community. She is thrilled to become more involved and be a part of this production.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHO’S WHO Brenda Vaca Alison Kate Helmer Brenda Vaca (Tepoztlán, Mexico 1994) Scenographer, Lighting Designer and Production Manager. Recent graduate of the Production Design and Technical Arts Program at The National Theater School of Canada. As an artist I strive with professional commitment towards honoring voices like my own. Alison Helmer is a multidisciplinary artist who has been deeply and continuously influenced by her studies and experience working on the east coast. Born and raised on the prairies, she began her theatre education with the Stagecraft program at Grenfell college before completing the Scenography program at the National Theatre School of Canada. She approaches the world of both set and costume design through a lens of fantasy, history, and the tradition of storytelling. She is excited by Theatre that pushes the boundaries between conventional and experimental, and that seeks to fulfill our human search for truth, escape, and shared connection.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHO’S WHO Audrey Gerow Lucas Ings-Simms Audrey Gerow is a Puppeteer/Puppet Builder, Producer, Stage Manager, and Actor based out of St. John’s, Newfoundland (Ktaqmkuk) and Labrador who has a love for all things theatre. Recent theatre credits include: Puppeteer (Brass Button Man/The Kraken/The Selkies - Under The Bridge Productions), Puppeteer (It’s Up to You - Studio Squidcicle), Production Assistant (Coriolanus - Shakespeare by the Sea), Actor (Buried Treasure - James Elloso), Puppeteer/Puppet Builder (Frankenpuppet - Jamie Skidmore), Stage Manager (Much Ado About Nothing - Shakespeare by the Sea). Audrey is super excited for people to fall in love with the world of Tamasha, O Tamasha! Lucas Ings-Simms is a poet, producer, designer, and puppeteer based out of St. John’s, NL. Recent theatrical credits include technical director for “Big Dumb Circus Bear” (2022); lighting assistant for The Best Medicine Show (Wonderbolt Circus 2022); as well as teaching, building, and performing both marionette and shadow puppetry with Under the Bridge Productions (2019-present).
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHO’S WHO Julian Smith Azal Dosanjh Julian Smith (He/Him) – Producer – Sound Designer – Lightning Designer – is a Manager and Designer originally from Norman’s Cove NL now residing in Montreal Quebec. Recent Theatre credits include – Sound and Video Design (The Flick- Persephone Productions) Apprentice Stage Manager (Redbone Coonhound – Tarragon and Imago Joint Production). Upcoming designs include The Geordie Two Play Tour as Sound Designer (Sept 2023) and Sound Designer (The Retreat 2024- Imago). Julian is so proud of what this show has become and hopes you find joy in it as he did. "This is for all the people who believe and continue to believe in themselves and their work despite whatever obstacles are put in their way". Azal Dosanjh is a theatre artist from India, now residing in St. John's, Newfoundland. Their recent directing credits include NewfoundLanded (TODOS and White Rooster Productions), Oddities (Güd Productions), Sun in an Empty Room (GroupHug Productions), Lights Out (Theatre Perimetric), Relief (Aariz Theatre). They will be premiering the production of their first play, the adaptation piece Tamasha, O Tamasha this June in St. John's, Newfoundland. They will also be Assistant Directing Come From Away Directed by Jillian Keiley this summer. For Christopher. MAD Composition - Trout Lure arranged by Kyle Gryphon
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Donors + Sponsors: Print3 Robothan Makay and Marshall Law Offices Danny Williams Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union Resource Centre for the Arts Arts and Culture Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador Chaulk Carpentry Kaleidoscope Drag Bar and Lounge Quidi Vidi Brewery The Ship Pub SPECIAL THANKS TO: Jamie Skidmore, PerSIStence Theatre Company, Arts and Culture Centre Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Council for the Arts, City of St. John’s, D.F. Cook Recital Hall, ArtsNL, PARC, Guillermo Verdeccia, David Chaulk, Resource Centre for the Arts, Perchance Theatre Company, Rising Tide NL, Jill Kielly, Artistic Fraud NL, Robert Chafe, Lynn Panting Dance Studio, Peter Easton Pub, Smart Alec Kids,, Chaulk Carpentry, Andy Jones, The Ship, Cherry Baby Co., Kyle Gryhon and Kady Meaney, Crystal Laffoley, Tors Cove Books, Poyo + The Sprout, Newfoundland Distillery, Brewdock, Modo Yoga, Fairly Fae Ceramic Creations, Alison Kate Helmer, Quidi Vidi Brewing Co., Jem Designs, Diana Daly, Elisabeth de Mariaffi, Riddle Fence, White Rooster Theatre, Andrea Lundy, Freds Records, Mark and Nick + whole team at the DF Cook Recital Hall, and to anyone we may have forgotten
Join us for our Opening Party at Kaleidoscope Drag Lounge and Bar Starts approx 10:15 PM, Wednesday, June 7
Catch our Closing Party on June 11th at The Ship Pub, a ticket from this show gets you in for $5!!!