Leading child actor Aniket Kapila, 10, of Kellyville Ridge who plays Sonu. Pictures: Mike Sea
Jay Singh, Aniket Kapila, 10, and director Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia. Pictures: Mike Sea
Jay Singh, Aniket Kapila, 10, and director Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia. Pictures: Mike Sea
A THEATRE group is raising public awareness and money for a charity in India which looks after unwanted girls by staging a Punjabi play in Castle Hill.
Naatshaala Theatre of Peace’s play, Payedaan, tells the story of the life of a poor girl at the mercy of the world.
Cast members live in Quakers Hill, Stanhope Gardens, Kellyville, Kellyville Ridge, Parramatta and the Hills district.
Payedaan (which means doormat in English) is an award-winning play by Jatinder Brar.
It tells of the plight of millions of children across the world locked in poverty.
Playing at The Hills Centre on March 23, the play — directed by Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia — explores the questions we dare not ask.
Group spokesman and lead actor Jay Singh said that included why young girls were allowed to be robbed of life opportunities by their lack of education and income.
‘‘Society has cast these innocent young souls by the door to be used and abused as the proverbial doormat,’’ he said.
‘‘We want the play to help change the attitude of people, especially men, here and in India that such behaviour shouldn’t be tolerated.’’
The play revolves around Guddi (played by Michelle Khurana), the young daughter of a cleaning lady, who asks for some food.
Her story is contrasted against that of Sonu, the son of the homeowner (Aniket Kapila), who keeps screaming because he is being force-fed.
Other cast members are Neera Singh, Sandeer Sharma Indu Takha, Ajay Kumar, and Ravi Singh with original music by Sarabjeet Singh.
Details:
* The Hills Centre is at 1A Carrington Road, Castle Hill.
* Tickets can be purchased by calling Kulwant Khurana on 0422886000 or Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia on 0403125209.
* Tickets are $30, $45 and $65 or a VIP ticket for $99. Discounts for groups and seniors.
* They will also be available from the Hills Centre or via the Event News website from January 25.
For all the latest information follow them on facebook.com/payedaan.