Mind Walking (this will be the World Premiere)

Mind Walking opened to a terrific reception last night

Written by Tanika Gupta and Directed by John Binnie this is a new drama that explores what happens to a family as the mind of an old man starts to unravel. Bobbie has spent all his adult life in Britain, but he begins to revert back to his first language; a language that he spoke as a boy in Bombay in the 1940's. His family - loving wife, grown-up daughter and teenage grand-son are devastated. How will they manage to communicate with Bobbie? How do they understand Bobbie's life as he enters a world that they have no comprehension of? As secrets and hidden stories tumble out of Bobbie’s mouth, his family start to question the truth about their ancestry and shared history.

It uses a trapeze cleverly to provide imaginary settings to help tell the story and as a metaphor for the way Bobbie feels and how he is experiencing life.

Mind Walking is an emotional drama exploring notions of home, cultural identity and family bonds. It is a must for anyone who would like to understand how it must feel to have someone who is losing their mental capabilities in their life.

Production: Tanika Gupta MBE (Writer) John Binnie (Director) Jonothan Campbell (Aerial Designer/Rigger) Ellen Cairns (Designer)

Cast: Peter D'Souza (Bobbie) Philippa Vafadari (Rosa/Choreographer) Kate Dyson (Moira) Dylan Kennedy (Matty)

Brighton based BandBazi (Love Indeed and Breakfast at Audrey’s) combine aerial trapeze with emotionally charged and character driven narratives.

Mind Walking is a co-production with Q Theatre Productions, Mumbai. Tanika Gupta has written plays for the Royal National Theatre, the Young Vic, the Royal Court and Soho theatre.

Mind Walking has been developed with British Council UK-India Connections through Culture programme and was commissioned by BandBazi with the assistance of Arts Council, England.  

'I admire Gupta for using the stage to rub our noses in global reality.' The Guardian, Michael Billington on 'Sanctuary', 2002

'Tanika Gupta's compelling, vivid play tussles with forgiveness and related matters: mercy, justice, conscience.' Financial Times, Sarah Hemming, reviewing 'Sanctuary', 2002 

'The aerial skills are as mesmerising as the acting. Writer/director John Binnie has created a play that touches the heart while being effortlessly elegant.' The  Glasgow Herald, on BandBazi's 'Breakfast at Audrey's' 2005