Having formed only in 2007, Theatre Jones Roy has quickly gained critical praise and honours, including 2 Dora Mavor Moore Awards. The company will perform Pyaasa April 6, 7 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., and April 9 at 2:30 p.m., and Letters to My Grandma April 5 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. All performances will take place in the intimate setting of the Baby Grand Theatre.

 

Pyaasa explores the issues surrounding the caste system in India, and follows Chaya, an eleven year old Untouchable girl. Chaya's mother begs a woman of a higher caste to give Chaya a job at a local tea stall. In time the owner of the tea stall sexually assaults her, resulting in Chaya's loss of what little value she had as a marital commodity in a sect that values marriage above all else for women. Pyaasa is Chaya's story from childhood to adulthood, a journey that occurs in ten days.

 

Letters to My Grandma is a haunting one-woman show that delves into how the hatred bred between Hindus and Muslims in the old world consumes families in Canada today. On the day of her wedding, Malobee unearths letters detailing her grandmother's fight to survive the 1947 partition of India, which resonates with Malobee's own struggles to create a new life in present-day Toronto. This production is a grand multi-generational tale of hatred, regret, love and forgiveness.

Both productions are written and performed by company co-founder Anusree Roy. She will join audiences immediately following her performance for a talk-back program.

 

Tickets for this show are $25. $5 eyeGO to the Arts tickets are available for high school students with valid ID, and Student Rush seats will be available before the performance. All are available through the Grand Theatre Box Office in person at 218 Princess St., by phone at 613-530-2050 or online at <http://www.kingstongrand.ca/>.

The Grand Theatre would like to acknowledge its 2010-2011 Grand Theatre Presents sponsors. The Four Points Sheraton Kingston is the Official Hospitality Underwriter, Kingston Life is the Official Print Media sponsor and CKWS is the Official Television sponsor.