Leicester based Phizzical Productions unveils its newest production, A Perfect Ganesh, from next month with a tour around London venues.

The play is a seductive comedy about two middle-aged suburban women, who travel to India, and discover the unexpected.

‘Prim’ Margaret Civil and ‘Outspoken’ Katherine Brynne abandon their annual vacation ritual and purchase a holiday package to India. Both women have secret dreams of “the fabled land of the exotic” and are looking for spiritual comfort to alleviate the suffering they hide within.

Set during the early 1990s, before India’s economic liberalization took hold, the women discover that the environment of the country: its heat, poverty, culture and philosophy challenges them to examine their own lives and confront unresolved issues from their past. The trip also provides an opportunity for them to face up to their differences and explore their friendship.

Enter Ganesh, the elephant headed Hindu god, remover of obstacles, who appears in many guises and becomes the centre around which this poignant and humorous tale revolves.

The title of the play comes from Katherine’s obsession with Ganesh and her desire to find a perfect statue of his, to add to her collection of memories and experiences of this trip.

A Perfect Ganesh has not been produced in the United Kingdom for several years. This wonderful play mixes powerful Indian mythology to tackle issues such as class, racism and homophobia, through its splendid poetry and captivating imagery.

A Perfect Ganesh was originally produced as part of the 1993-94 Season at New York’s Manhattan Theatre Club, where it was enthusiastically received, by critics and audiences alike. The play was nominated for the 1994 Pulitzer Prize.

Directed by Samir Bhamra, A Perfect Ganesh features a cast of four actors: Elisabeth Graham and Rebecca Tremain play Margaret and Katherine and Ganesh and a character called Man are played by Tony Hasnath & Jas Binag.

Terrence McNally’s writing credits include; Frankie and Johnny at the Claire de Lune (1987) & the screen adaptation which starred Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer. He wrote the book for Kiss of the Spiderwoman (1992), a Broadway musical that won a Tony for “Best Book” the following year. McNally’s other plays include Love! Valour! Compassion! (1994) which examines the relationships of eight gay men and Master Class (1995), a character study of legendary opera soprano Maria Callas which won the 1996 Tony Award for “Best Play.”

In 1997, McNally stirred up a storm of controversy with Corpus Christi (1997), a modern day retelling of the story of Jesus’ birth, ministry, and death in which both he and his disciples are homosexuals.

Tour Details:
Wed 12 – Sat 15 March @ 7.45pm
(Press Night Thurs 13 March @ 7.45pm)
ARTSDEPOT
5 Nether Street, Finchley N12 OGA
Box Office: 020 8369 5454
www.artsdepot.co.uk

Thurs 18 – Thurs 20 March @ 8.00pm
CROYDON CLOCKTOWER
Katherine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET
ticketoffice@croydon.gov.uk

Tues 25 – Sat 29 March @ 7.45pm
WATERMANS
40 High Street, Brentford TW8 ODS
www.watermans.org.uk

The show also tours to Peepul Centre, Leicester & The Drum, Birmingham.

More info: www.phizzical.com