Program Guide 2019 Program Guide | Page 31

★★★★ — STAGE DOOR Pioneering in its intimacy, yet unapologetically heartwarming. — THE NEW YORK TIMES Why Not Theatre A Brimful of Asha The Coopers Malthouse Beckett Theatre M T OCT 7 8 14 15 W 2 9 16 T 3 10 17 F 4 11 18 S 5 12 19 S 6 13 20 Wed—Sat 7pm Sat also 1pm Sun 5pm 1 hr 30 mins no interval   AMERICAN-SIGN-LANGUAGE-INTERPRETING AUDIO-DESCRIPTION Auslan Interpreted & Audio Described Sat 12 October 1pm Tickets from $59 Eligible for Transaction fees may apply festival.melbourne The Coopers Malthouse 03 9685 5111 Produced in collaboration with Richard Jordan Productions. In this ring it’s son versus mum. We don’t like his odds. Ravi’s parents rolled with the punches when they learned he wanted to be—gasp! —an entertainer. But unmarried at 27? This will not stand. AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Canadian actor, writer and director Ravi Jain’s A Brimful of Asha is the hilarious true story of a man whose Indian-born parents want only the best for him, whatever his thoughts on the matter. Derailing his work, arranging prospective brides and exposing their son to unending bouts of humiliation are all just part of their job description. What’s worse: even Ravi’s spotlight isn’t safe from his mother Asha’s meddling. Aided by copious tea and samosas, mother and son take to the stage to spar over the supposed failure that is his life, delivering their respective takes on marriage and freedom, tradition and modernity. Stuffed full of humour and insight, this is the kind of battle only a deep love and affection can afford, and while Asha might not be the trained performer her son is, she’s a force of nature that will not be denied. With support from 29