Curry Tales

Curry Tales is written and performed by Rani Moorthy who portrays six cooks who reveal intimate stories while preparing their own special sauces. Taking a journey around the world, the play reveals the role played by the British in the spread of curry via trade, the colonies and ultimately the migration and success of the South Asian diaspora.This worldwide tour of curry takes us from India to England, and Malaysia to Trinidad. Feeding the audience with food for thought, curry is used to uncover character and personality, stories and secrets. In a world of chopping and tasting, bubbling pots hold surprising secrets and unexpected dreams. By turns hilarious and moving, the play explores how curry is integral to South Asian culture and its relationship to the world and the place that curry occupies in the heart and mind of these cooks.

Curry Tales is a show that the audience can really taste with ace cook Rani Moorthy employing her culinary skills live on stage and encouraging some audience members to eat what she creates. Moorthy engages the audience by subtly employing the Kutthu form of South Indian folk theatre that breaks the barrier between the audience and stage. From fiery Trinidadian Rosemary to Malaysian Mrs. Wong, the audience shares the intimacy of the onstage kitchen and is drawn into the lives of the women that Moorthy has created. Razor-sharp observation combines with acute characterization in a heady mix of flavors to please the most discerning palate.