Out of the Margins

In a crumbling Calcutta home, two sisters are forced to come to terms with their mother's secret history. In this funny and moving play, award-winning writer Shelley Silas examined how family and culture, time and distance, influence our sense of who we are. Set in the Indian Jewish community, it explores conflicts between old and new, east and west, tradition and truth. If the past is another country, where is home? 

In the annotated version of the play, almost twenty years later, the playwright is frank about how difficult it was to return to the play: "When I wrote this play... I wanted people... to know that Jews were not just eastern European... my sisters, mum and dad were still alive - revisiting it after many years has been difficult - not least because of the memories - because I looked after my sisters, mum and dad - my mum most recently - until her death - I suppose I have a little of my three sisters in me - but having cared for my mum... it's brought up a great deal for me. I hope whoever owns this copy will cherish it as much as I have." 

As well as making notes throughout, Shelley Silas includes extra scribbles on the recipes at the back of the play, and insists that aloomakallas are "NOT roast potatoes!!!" This is a very moving annotated edition, gently humourous at times, always with an eye on the purpose, and we are so grateful to Shelley for returning to the play with such generosity, warmth and wisdom. 

Calcutta Kosher was produced by the Kali Theatre Company and toured the UK in February and March 2004.