Theatre

From Troy to Lanka

Shailee developed the play “From Troy to Lanka” during the 2022-23 Fireworks Playwrights’ Development Program at Teesri Duniya Theatre. It was performed in Montreal during a staged reading in May 2023.

Inspired by traditional Hindu and Greek narratives as recounted in the literary epics Ramayana and Iliad, the play explores the perspectives of two mythological women—Sita and Helen. The script reimagines their stories to challenge historical gender attitudes and prompts reflection on contemporary patriarchal realities by drawing parallels between their lives. The performance borrows from elements of classical Greek tragedies as well as Sanskrit theatrical aesthetics as recounted in the Natyashastra. Music, movements, and dance are utilized to cross boundaries of time and space on stage while foregrounding a feminist perspective.

Cast for 2023 Stage Reading:

Chorus: Natasha Perry-Fagant, Tiernan Cornford
Everywoman: Charity Adzie
Sita: Nazifa Islam
Helen: Leya Graie
Janaka: Rahul Gandhi
Tyndareus: San Choi
Stage Directions: Leigh-Ann Taylor

Director and Dramaturg: Vishesh Abeyratne

More information about the artist residency can be found HERE.