I think that Asian theatre needs some more creativity but where is the opportunity? My friend and I wrote a modern play which was a black comedy about love and betrayal and used the arranged marriage process as a launching board but then concentrates on a new twisted look at life. Yet even though it won some accolaids in competitions i fear that most companies are too scared to move away from old stereotypes and take a risk with something new and younger. Consequentely it sits on my laptop or on the desk of someone who does not know what younger Asians are looking for!
There needs to be more funding and more companies which recognise that Asians want something new in theatre - not the same old arranged marriage or race oppresssion. Yes theatre needs to ask us questions and engage the viewer, but lets not forget that at the end of the day most of us who go to the theatre just want to be ENTERTAINED!

Sunny seriously i do nt mean any disrespect, but maybe when it comes to writing articles you should stay away from theatre.
You come from a very simplistic and niave point of veiw, and it seriously makes me question if you take an interest in theatre in general, or u just watch the odd asian thing because of Aim. Maybe you should leave these articles to those who have a genuine interest in the arts.

Variety is vital in theatre but so is quality.

Pharmatron, I think you'll find that Rifco theatre company would agree with you that for them it's all about "entertainment".

As for the vitality of Asian theatre, yes, it's good to see a mention of some work, but both pieces mentioned by Sunny are produced by companies who have been around for quite a while.

To that extent, I agree with you, Pharmatron, let's see some truly fresh new work, taking an innovative direction, and taking risks.

Scroll_lock i have seen Rifco presentation and they are without doubt hugely entertaining. Derranged marriage was a good lively piece of theatre. It didnt have anything new to say but for sheer entertainment you could not get better - i laughed my ass off most of the way through.
But what we need is to get away from the cliches in our society - the recent BANG competition in Oldham showcased its winning plays a few months back - same old stories - Muslims being supressed, lack of opportunity, Im brown the rest of the world is white etc etc. Not that there arent places for these plays but we need to hear the voices of different parts of our society - how about for once listening to the voices of Asains who have no problem integrating and find a perfect balance - what is their story and how do they manage it?
We need some new companies who are prepared to move away from the stories the media hit us with routinely and explore different stories!
As for ISIS i dont know if your getting at Rifco, but in my opinion yes variety they seem to lack at the moment but their quality of productions is outstanding.