Exploring and closing the Indian generation gap

Long-standing community theatre company EKMA Productions celebrate their 25th anniversary by staging On Common Ground in Chatsworth. Founders Essop Khan and Mohamed Alli will also join the cast on stage for the production that explores issues of old-school versus new-school in an evolving broader Indian community. “We are looking at relationships in the play as far as youngsters are concerned. “As the older generation, some of us are stuck in a timewarp and we attempt to bridgethat gap in the play by tackling different relevant themes,” explained Alli. The plot is based on two families who have shared a plot of land for years, but after a misunderstanding one family decide to fence the property, claiming their 60 percent of the land. In a bid to stop the elders of the two families from splitting the unity the younger members of the families step up and try to get the elders toresolve the feud. “As the plot unfolds we deal with different social issues that affect a lot of families today, like gambling and drugs. “But also the issue of arranged marriages will be explored. “We come from an age of arranged marriages, but timeshave changed and we want to try and get that message across as well,” said Alli. The play stars three actors making their debut with the company – Melvyn David, Warrick Frank and Narusha Chetty, as well as veterans Khan, Alli and Savy Ramsamy. lOn Common Ground will stage at the Pattundeen Theatre at the Aryan Benevolent Home in Unit 6, Chatsworth, on Friday and Saturday. Shows are 8pm and 3pm. Tickets available at the Ideals Chatsworth Centre. Call 083 982 2362 for more info.