Handful of Henna opens at the Watermans Before National Tour

---

An enchanting tale exploring the mystical powers of henna and its impact on a mother-daughter relationship.

HANDFUL OF HENNA is an evocative new play, by the performer and writer, Rani Moorthy. Thirteen year-old, Nasreen is being dragged back to the family home by her mum, Saheeda, to attend a wedding. The petulant teenager is annoyed at being separated from her friends and her mobile phone, not to mention being far away from her comfort zone so continues to bait and irritate her mother.

But thanks to the mystical powers of henna, and a little bit of help from the wagging tongues of the Aunties, Grannies and neighbours, Nasreen discovers some unexpected truths about her mother’s past. Skipping back and forth across time and between two cultures, four actresses create a bustling, colourful world bursting with music and celebration.

Based on true life stories, Handful of Henna explores the mystical and healing powers of henna, which is used traditionally in celebrations, body adornment, and as an antidote to ward of evil spirits and nightmares. With warm humour and moving drama, Handful of Henna reveals how mother and daughter’s fractious relationship is cemented by this cooling and soothing plant.

Based in Manchester, Rasa produce exiting and heart-warming drama that unites both South Asian and Western theatre. (Credits include: Curry Tales, Shades of Brown), whilst Oxfordshire Theatre Company has been specialising in touring high quality theatre to rural areas.

For more information, images and tour details please contact; Suman Bhuchar on 07930 101894 E: suman@watermans.org.uk  or Angela Hinds on 020 8232 1037 e: angela@watermans.org.uk

Handful of Henna opens at Watermans on January 28 before going on a national tour until 28 March at various venues around the UK. www.rasatheatre.co.uk

For the three performances at Watermans, our very own henna artist, Riffat will work her mehndi magic on your hands using hundred per cent natural henna weaving designs that will look simply sensational. Riffat will be available before the show, so do arrive early. For more information visit www.riffat.co.uk

Henna is a flowering plant that grows in Africa, Asia and has been used for adorning the body and as hair dye since the Bronze Age. It is also known as ‘mehndi’ in South Asia.

“Henna Night” rituals have been associated with luck and well being. Henna has been used by all Eastern cultures and has even been mentioned in the Bible! (Song of Solomon 1:14 as ‘camphire’), whilst the Prophet Muhammad is said to have dyed his beard red and his Caliphs adopted this practice.  

Henna has been used in many parts of the world from South Asia, Middle East and North Africa and has been popularised in the West by people like Madonna & Gwen Stafani and henna artists such as Sumita Batra.

It is traditionally applied as an adornment at weddings, or on religious occasions such as Eid or Diwali as well as a blessing on the birth of a child or to bring good fortune into one’s home.

 

 

January 22, 2010