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We can now reveal Nautanki Theatre's amazing line up of cast and creatives for Indian Embrace opening August 21 at the Riverside in Parramatta.  The cast:  Ambika Asthana, Neel Banerjee, Shashidar Dandekar, James Herrington, Steven Menteith and Lucy Rasheed.  Creatives:   Director Lenore Robertson, Costumes Pam Legge,  Lighting design Richard Neville.

Like many travellers, I became fascinated by Varanasi, India, the first time I went there.  Also known as Banaras and as Kashi, it is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.  I set about writing the play on the plane back to Australia.  In 2012 I converted just one scene for a Short and Sweet Ten Play Festival entry and got in the Sydney and the Chennai, India, Festivals.  Comments from the Sydney show were:  "Carol Dance has written with much wisdom and insight.  Carol's writing about the Indian ethos is discerning and perceptive" Preeti Thadani, India Link.  Then Nautanki Theatre decided to produce the full-length play. 

Indian Embrace engages both Indian-Australians and all Australians.  The River Ganges runs through the story as three Australians and three Indians in the ancient city face danger together.  And, wow, do they bond!  Universal emotions subjugate cultural differences.  There are many comic, tragic and amazing twists and turns and we're not going to spoil it by telling you any more.  There are five performances so be fast to book.