A global pandemic may have struck, but we have a chef who's just stuck! He wants to win the world over with his cooking, but, will he be able to learn how to? He's got to face isolation, earn acceptance and most importantly, get groceries delivered! Will he find the secret recipe to happiness? A culinary theatrical journey awaits.
Production Photos, Drayton Arms Theatre. November 14th 2021
Photos by Amelia Oliva
Creative Team
Himanshu Sitlani, Playwright
Himanshu Sitlani is a thespian, originally hailing from Mumbai. Foraying his way into theatre as an actor, he progressed on to other creative aspects and worked as a Stage Manager and Producer for seven years with QTP and Akvarious. He co-founded Le Chayim Theatre Productions in Mumbai in 2006 where he eventually made his directorial debut in 2013. Since immigrating to Toronto Canada in 2010, Himanshu’s been immersed in supporting the creative arts, working as Patron Services Manager at Factory Theatre, while penning down his ideas towards his goal of creating a bridge between creative artists in Canada and India eventually co-founding Nautanki Bazaar in 2019 with his wife, Neha Poduval. Together they wrote their first play ‘An IMM-Permanent Resident’ which was developed at the Factory Theatre and was to premier as part of Why Not Theatre’s RISER Project in 2020, but is on hold due to COVID-19. His new play "Stories of a Dish'', which started as a weekly Instagram series in 2020, is now playing at the Mississauga Fringe in Canada and the Edinburgh Fringe in the UK in August 2021.
Ben Purkiss, Director
Ben first started directing at the University of East Anglia, where he studied English Literature & Drama. Whilst there, he was able to direct and act in numerous productions, whilst maintaining an excellent academic standard, which resulted in graduating with First Class Honours.
Since graduating, he has worked on numerous projects, ranging from fringe productions to larger scale community projects. Born and raised in London, Ben feels strongly about representing diverse voices in his work.
Ben's work is generally raw and gritty with a distinctly modern feel to it. He loves working with new writing and contemporary plays but also thrives on finding the continued relevance and importance of historical plays by bringing them into the 21st Century.
Since graduating, he has worked on numerous projects, ranging from fringe productions to larger scale community projects. Born and raised in London, Ben feels strongly about representing diverse voices in his work.
Ben's work is generally raw and gritty with a distinctly modern feel to it. He loves working with new writing and contemporary plays but also thrives on finding the continued relevance and importance of historical plays by bringing them into the 21st Century.
Cast
Anant Varman, Chef
Anant Varman is an Indian Actor who hails from Madhya Pradesh, Central India. His theatrical career began with the Delhi based Atelier Repertory Company; performing and assisting in several productions across North India.
Anant trained at East 15 Acting School, London and subsequently was awarded an endorsement by Arts Council England under the Global Talent scheme and is now based in the UK. He is represented by Scott Marshall Partners.
Anant trained at East 15 Acting School, London and subsequently was awarded an endorsement by Arts Council England under the Global Talent scheme and is now based in the UK. He is represented by Scott Marshall Partners.