Elsewhere but somewhat related β culture secretary Sajid Javid and Arts Council England chair were virtually speaking from same pulpit when they said that the divisions that have risen in the arts world need to be dismantled. In other words, good thoughts must translate into good deeds and the money will flow accordingly.
Syal was right to draw attention to the fact that there is an audience out there that supports and enjoys productions that have a South Asian angle to them. In her original comments, she also made it clear that Asians were going to all kinds of theatre, but something with an Asian perspective often had added appeal. One of the newer Asian theatre companies, based at Watford Palace Theatre, it put on a play with iconic Indian actress Shabana Amzi as one of the main leads.
A veteran and probably as famous in India, as Helen Mirren is here, Azmi proved a big box office draw. The production played to packed houses and had ample crossover appeal too.
It could just as easily be character and plot driven with ethnicity playing out as one factor among many. Matriarch Jeeto, clear and firm, son Pal, loyal and hardworking, daughter Cookie, married with two children and in control of her own business, dutiful and culturally attuned white daughter-in-law, Liz, all seemed to get on more or less. But the arrival of Reema from India slowly undermined the fragile links holding the family together.
In between, these two was one of the undoubted theatre events, not just of this year, but quite possibly, the decade, from a South Asian perspective. Chayya Syal was lucky enough to see the end product and was suitably impressed and inspired. There was also a mini-festival seeking to encourage young people to participate more in the theatre.
