Caste Away Arts

The actress that was supposed to play Simran sent me a text today saying that she needed to speak to me urgently regarding the play. I was hoping for the best but preparing myself for the worst. She told me that she is going to Hollywood to have talks with agents over there and flies out to the States on 12th December, one day before the performance date! Noooooooooooooo! She was perfect for the role of Simran! And how could she think that Hollywood is more important than The Fifth Cup?!

I did wish her well though and can’t be mad at her as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. But it will be weird to see another actress in the role of Simran. I suppose I’ll feel different when I see someone else actually act in that role and no one will be any wiser, well they will now that I’ve put it on this blog! ha ha, oh well.

The funny thing is that I phoned up Harv (the director) about it this evening and for some reason we both burst out laughing! This kind of thing keeps happening and however much of a forward planner you are (and believe me I am one!) you can’t control everything. So you just have to laugh. Harv is looking through her contacts list for replacements as I type. Whatever is meant to be will be. Kismet yaar!

I got the press release done today and started sending it out to various radio stations, websites and publications. We’ve already been asked to be interviewed on a well known British Asian radio station. The lovely Ravina Rai is doing her thing and sorting out more press and publicity for us and Reena is busy with the set and chatting to people on the streets about The Fifth Cup and their opinions on caste. It’s all coming together…er….more like, we’re all trying to hold it together!

Rena A

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The dark circles are worse today. They look like black bin bags. I went to sleep way past midnight last night, and then dreamt about the play!

BUT…I finished editing the script! What we have now is a box office smash!….seriously, book your tickets now.

Not that it wasn’t amazing before, but I think that when the actors start rehearsing the play they bring it to life in a different way. They add a bit of themselves to the characters and light bulbs went off in our heads because we had ideas of how we could make it even better. A few fuses also blew in our heads when we realised that certain things didn’t work so well off paper. But that’s the beauty of this, it’s a fluid work in progress.

I spoke to Reena about 20 times today! She’s busy sorting out the set, a mammoth mission! and Ravina’s busy working on our marketing and publicity. As you can tell, the heat is on!

Yesterday was the first rehearsal of The Fifth Cup. I’m still on a high today! Despite the dark circles under my eyes. We (me and my very supportive husband) got back late from Birmingham last night after a meal with the majority of the cast and crew.

The whole day went amazingly well. I’d describe it as positive, creative, inspiring, and maybe a little bit scary when I think about all the work I’ve got to do! Harv and I made a lot of changes to the script. Chunks of dialogues have been cut and a bit more needs to be added here and there. I was prepared to be flexible so wasn’t crying over stuff being cut that Reena and I so painstakingly wrote. After all, this is still a work in progress and it the play was brought to life in a different way with the actors.

Speaking of the actors, I love them. I’ve got faith in everyone, even when I had to have, erm, words with a couple of cast members that went to the shop at lunch and got lost, which meant they came back an hour later than everyone else! Oh yeah, and of the actors who was playing an important character failed to show up. Luckily, we got a very lovely and experienced actor to step in on the day and he’s agreed to join the team. That’s life I guess, full of ups and downs. But yesterday the ups far outweighed the downs.

Got up this morning at the crack of dawn and prayed that everyone would turn up. Collected one of our actors and the other drive like 10 miles per hour behind me for the rest of the journey. Rena seemed very cool and relaxed eating her croissant and in fact she was a bit late which is so not like her at all. Guessed my way to the Mac (where I once used to work back in the olden days). It brought back memories. It’s a nice location and was perfect for today.

Everyone arrived and the studio. Some were a bit late bute better late than never. The atmosphere full of positive vibes all over. Nice bunch of people. Harvinder got stuck right in. Lead a facial exercise workshop – great stuff! If you exercise your body you should do your face too! If you want a face structure like mine do what I do and you’ll never get botox again. Harv got down to work like she’s been doing 50 years. Rena and Me took it all in. Rena probably took more in because she’s got a bigger brain though.

The warm up games were fab! I knew from here we had the best cast God could ever bestow. Thank you so much God your good to me. The games were hilarious and I was just blown away with the energy and charisma by all of you. Thank you all.

Neetu – you’re a comedian left right and centre. I love it I love everything. Could watch you for hours. You brought up some interesting questions about caste also. Not all of us are familiar with certain terminology I hope today was useful. OMG I loved your dancing. Bust a few moves again Mrs Nagra. Well done today.

Vimal – Thanks so much for stepping in after a serious let down (I am going to get you and you know who you are and I know here you live and work Mr let down!) You’re a true professional and did a great job despite not having the script before hand. Cheers Mate. Look forward to working with you.

Dhar – Well having worked with you before you instantanousllmatically (that’s from my dictionary so don’t put this through the spell check Rena lol) came into my head for Mad Man. You performed just like the character myself and Rena wrote. Spot on.

Vrinder – you look the part and you were the part from the very start. Gift from God just when we were struggling to find our lead “you came along just like a song you brightened our day who believed you were part of a dream that only seems”. . . Where did you come from? Wolverhampton to New St to the Mac to us. Thank you for being a part of this project you truly shined today and glad your with us.

Amit – Wat go waaan? Your so like one of the kids I teach I want to send you to the head teach! The one who thinks he rules the school and is Mr bad man. Your brilliant. Need to work on pronunciation but hey at least you can say ‘Animal’ and Aminal like me you’ll get there! Well done. You were a natural today and have all the qualities of a plastic G Prital the Jatt innit!

Mona – Mona I just feel like pouring my heart out to you and moaning about everything. Will you be my Mum? Your loveable and really got into Pami’s skin. You’re so much like her, loving caring, ambitious and a back bone to her family. You were the back bone in this rehearsal and even poor Vrinder felt you didn’t speak to words to him at dinner. If only you had 10 arms you could give us a group hug. You’re lovely.

Jinder/ Raj – I can’t believe your 41. You’re a very talented artist and from your stories (I am not going to repeat) I believe you can turn black into white by simply telling people. Its that voice. You have so much emotion in it and it’s real because you know your character so well. Great effort today and loved your role play with Pami. Good chemistry between you artist which is very detrementalistic . See you on the big screen one day.

Jay – as soon as I saw your cheeky face I knew our paths had crossed. Even when Rena mentioned your name it rang a few bells in that empty head of mine. I covered your music lesson at school and you made an impact them with your cheesy wotsits song. You were so nervous and you asked me to stand by you but as soon as I walked away you stood there so strong and bonded so well with everyone. For a 13 year old that is a milestone. Your role play with Rena was so funny. I am so happy that you enjoyed your self and that you want to call me sister that means so much to me. I am proud of you and believe in you all the way kid! All the way to the moon and back you good old crak!

Robert- this one comes into my shop in Hillbillys and used to come in a mob. But when I saw you perform in Soulful gospel choir you stood out like s sore thumb. I had to call you in. You have so much talent and so much to give. Trust me this is just the beginning. Your only sweet 16 and you are on a journey. Your Mother Jane is so proud of you and I know that your Father will so happy to see how far you have come. I really mean it when I say you stand out from the rest of the cronies in our neighbourhood – bless them but Bless you more in the name of our heavenly Father.

Kay – another one I met by chance in my shop. I over head you talking to one of our kids about drama. I looked at you and thought hey you would make a great teacher and indirectly asked you if you knew anyone would be interested. Your performance started off a bit shaky but as you got into the rehearsal you became stronger. Good effort. We want to work on you more. Well done and well done for managing this project along side your new course. Loved your coat and glasses. You got it going on gal!

Amrit – Me and Rena auditioned you last year and your were super fab. Your very professional for a 15 year old and worked extremely well with the whole cast. This is a very difficult thing to do for a young lad. You got a lot to give and showed us real team effort. Arrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhh your so sweet.

Dave – last but not least Diamond geezer. Your character didn’t have a big role but you played it very big and gave it your all. I and Rena have discussed adding more your Mandeep into the play and feel that it would be a waste if we didn’t see more of your bling thing in this play. It was good working with you and can’t wait for you to meet Parveen who will play the love of your life. Watch this space peoples!

I had a great time. Had to fill in for Simram and you know what its dam hard acting. Its not easy as it looks so I respect all you and praise your efforts. I am not a actor though I lead workshops. I found my self a bit nervous and put on the spot so I should do more of this if I teach the blooming subject. Its hard work and we killed it today. I am so happy and Rena is bizzing.

Thanks for coming in Billy and getting some footage though you missed us from the start. I hate cameras but I need to get used to you sticking it in our faces.

Harv you did a great job on the script editing and me and Rena have truck loads to do. Dinner was great. Thanks for joining us Tony and loved what you’ve done with the music and the website. Its great.

Sorry Jay and Jinder for loosing the car in the car park but I don’t understand locations and car parks and sorry for screaming so much on the way home I do that when I don’t know where the hell I am going. I think I am going blind and plus it wasn’t my car.

Ok off to bed! Not really I come alive after 1. hehehe look forward to next rehearsal