‘Why Not Theatre’s Mahabharat’ , in three parts (four hours first 2 parts & part 3 is an add on) will be staged at the Perth Festival (8-16 February, 2025) at the His Majesty’s Theatre, 827-905 Hay St, Perth WA 6000, in three parts. The play will be in English and contains discussions and non-graphic depictions of violence, war and sexual activity, says th Perth Festival website.
It is Written & Created by Miriam Fernandes & Ravi Jain, using poetry from Carole Satyamurti’s Mahabharata: A Modern Retelling and the Original concept developed with Jenny Koons. The A Why Not Theatre Production originally commissioned and presented by the Shaw Festival in association with Barbican, London.
THE STORY
Part I: Karma
King Janamejaya is holding a ritual sacrifice in which he will kill all the snakes in the world to avenge his father’s death. In hopes of ending this cycle of revenge, a storyteller is summoned to tell King Janamejaya the tale of The Mahabharata. The storyteller tells of the rival Pandava and Kaurava clans, and the choices that lead to their infamous Game of Dice. Through playful narration, shadow play, classical Indian dance and a live band, the ensemble tells the stories of humans struggling to build a just world in the face of competition, jealousy, and rage.
Exploring the themes of storytelling, ecocide, and dharma (empathy), Part 1 begins Mahabharata’s epic journey that asks, “When everyone believes they are right and their opponents wrong, how can one end a spiral of revenge?”
Part II: Dharma
King Janamejaya is told of the war fought by his ancestors – its devastating destruction of the planet, the mass extinction that followed, and of the survivors left behind to rebuild. Using captivating projections, dynamic soundscapes, and poetic stage design, Part 2: Dharma includes a 15-minute Sanskrit opera adaptation of the Bhagavad Gita. King Janamejaya is confronted with the battle of Kurukshetra, and the battle inside his own heart. Are we destined to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors?
Part III: Khana & Kahani I Community Meal and Storytelling Session
Mahabharata is a story that one learns over a lifetime; it needs to be absorbed and digested.To delve deeper into the philosophical riddles of the Pandava family’s 13 years of exile, you’re invited to gather and share a traditional vegetarian Indian meal. Hosted by a charming storyteller, you’ll experience a tale from the Mahabharata as many people have, around the dinner table
Please note This event is only available as an optional add-on for patrons who purchase a Mahabharata performance on the same date as a community meal sitting or a marathon (both Karma (Part I) and Dharma (Part II)
Location Cloisters Arcade, 863 Hay St, Perth WA 6000
Duration 75 mins
Dates & Times
8 – 16 Feb
- Part I: Karma Sat & Sun 2.30pm, Tue & Thu 7.30pm
- Part II: Dharma Sat & Sun 8pm, Wed & Fri 7.30pm
- Khana & Kahani (Community meal & storytelling session at Cloisters Arcade) Sat & Sun 5.30pm
Durations
Part I: Karma 2hrs 40mins including interval
Part II: Dharma 2hrs 15mins including interval
Part III: Khana & Kahani (Community meal & storytelling session) 75mins
Location
His Majesty’s Theatre, 827-905 Hay St, Perth WA 6000.
Tickets
- Add on option | Khana & Kahani (Community meal & storytelling session at Cloisters Arcade) $39
- Receive a discount when purchasing both parts in a single transaction, with a maximum savings of 15%.
- Festival Club membership and Mob Tix prices available.
ALL INFORMATION AT – https://www.perthfestival.com.au/program/season-2025/mahabharata
Source – The above information (text) including credits, sponsors/supporters etc. is extracted from the Perth Festival website (See above). YouTube video is courtesy Perth Festival.
This just preview information courtesy the Perth Festival and the statements, views and opinions expressed in this article/report/video/viewpoint/opinion/preview are solely those of the organizers/authors and do not necessarily represent the editorial policies of the South Asia Times (SAT).
