From India with Love and D'Arranged Marriage

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Tarun (left), Raj (Right)

Media Release
15th August 2007

Those Indian Guys Present
From India with Love &
D’Arranged Marriage

Selling-out more shows than they’ve had hot curries
Those Indian Guys are back with their sell-out shows, From India with Love and D’Arranged Marriage

From India With Love: Hamilton, WEL Energy Trust of Performing Arts, 8th-9th September

D’Arranged Marriage: Wellington, Downstage Theatre,12th-16th Sept, Auckland, Maidment Theatre 19-23 Sept, Orewa Centre Stage Theatre, 30 Sept.

Winner of Best Local Act at the 2004 NZ International Comedy Festival Those Indian Guys, aka Rajeev Varma and Tarun Mohanbhai, continue to carve a niche for themselves by making contemporary New Zealand theatre which is as much historical as it is hilarious. By examining real life experiences of Indian families who have emigrated to New Zealand Raj and Tarun hit the funny bone of cultural cringe – think Billy T. James Meets the Kumars.

“Those Indian Guys have audiences in stitches within one minute from the start…you gotta see it to believe it.” New Sunday Times, Kuala Lumpur 19 June 2005

Unlike Billy T, Those Indian Guys are masters of technology and props and use a variety of cross-media tools including slides, hand puppets and digital film projection to explore themes of cultural clashes, immigration, cultural stereotypes, love, loss, family, friendship and ambition.

D'Arranged Marriage premiered at the 2002 International Laugh Festival and was a sell out success. It has since toured to Melbourne, Sydney, Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur. D’Arranged Marriage has now performed over 130 times, nationally and internationally.

“A cultural comedy classic" Dominion Post May 2004

From India With Love is the prequel to D’Arranged Marriage, although it was made afterwards. The show was a highlight of this year’s International Comedy Festival and sold out during a tour of Malaysia last year. From India With Love is Bollywood at it’s best! It’s a celebration of love, loss and survival. Hilarious dance routines, projected movie sequences and clever puppetry leave audiences in hysterical laughter. Directed by renowned comedian and social commentator Te Radar, movie sequences directed by award winning film director Cristobal Araus Lobos, set design by John Parker and sound by leading NZ DJ Timmy Schumacher – this show has all the glitz and glamour of the best of New Zealand theatre.

“From India with Love is just the dose of laughter the doctor recommended…” – New Sunday Times, Kuala Lumpur 19 June 2005

Those Indian Guys are doing what so many theatre company’s struggle to do – successfully touring, and not one, but two shows!

From India with Love begins in a small Indian village in the 1950’s. Manhur meets the beautiful Pushpa who is caring for her sick father and sets out to woo her, despite the fact his skin is undesirably darker than hers! With the help of a little song and dance Manhur wins Pushpa’s hand, much to the delight and astonishment of the entire village. They decide to help their families and make their fortunes by journeying to New Zealand. But it’s not all plain sailing. They must survive shipwrecks, unemployment, and an extremely friendly Maori tribe before they achieve their dreams of setting up a little fruit and vegetable shop in Pukekohe and having babies!

D'Arranged Marriage is a one man show that tells the story of a young Indian boy called Sanjay who spends most of his life avoiding the issue of an arranged marriage. His nagging family finally gets the better of him but to his surprise he discovers that Neenu, the prospective bride, is the one! Unfortunately 'the one' is already dating the village idiot Rundeep… Adding to Sanjay's trials and tribulations are an uncle who yearns for the perfect woman who loves to cook, clean and play cricket, an annoying cousin, Sudefed…who is full of useless information. Throw in Mr. Dave Patel, Neenu's father, Johnny Walker's best friend and resident snob at No. 42 Smith Street, and you have the funniest parody of Indian family life since Bend it Like Beckham.

For more information go to www.thoseindianguys.com

ENDS

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