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2012

Pereira's Bakery at 76 Chapel Road

Written by Ayeesha Menon

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director 
Dominic Cooke

Part of 
New Plays From India

Dates Performed

Monday 12th November 2012
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs

Play Details

Synopsis

A family bakery located in a Bandra Mumbai chawl, 2011

Excitement buzzes when Shailesh, Annie’s architect boyfriend, plans to visit her parents, with everyone anticipating a marriage proposal. However, he arrives with unexpected news: their building is slated for demolition to make room for a shopping mall, leaving them just two months to vacate. Annie devises a strategy to save their home and business, but not all are convinced. This play humorously tackles serious themes, blending comedy with real-life challenges

 

 

 

Director(s)

Caroline Steinbeis


What our readers say

 

What’s it like reading this play now? Hows it aged? What does it speak to etc?

The core themes of gentrification and displacement remain relevant today – it does not feel particularly dated. The issues are universal and while this play is set in India, it could be about a family in any large city anywhere in the world. The story does feel quite familiar and we’ve seen other versions of this story on stage and screen.

Do you have a favourite moment in the play?

There are so many fantastic exchanges, but this is my favourite

VINCENT Papa used to say – If you think of your life as a loaf of bread, your passion is the yeast you mix in with all the essential ingredients.. You must have passion if you want your life to rise and soar.

MARIA So passion is a fungus?

PINTO (Gets up) Speaking of funguses, I want you to look at something. Pinto starts to pull his pants down. He changes his mind when he sees

ANNIE (27), approaching. She wears spectacles and is carrying lots of files.

PINTO Later. I’ll show you later.

VINCENT Great! Something to look forward to!