Dora Award Winning Performance returns to Toronto

[SL Jones]

Rasik Arts announces the return of Rajasthani actor Ashwatthama JD to
Toronto to encore his Dora Award-winning performance of “A Drop of
Blood”, an English-language version of his Urdu performance piece, “Ek
Qatra Khoon,” translated and adapted by Sally Jones and Ashwatthama JD.
This unique cross-cultural collaboration will run at Factory Theatre
for two weeks only from November 23 to December 3, 2006.  

“Ek Qatra Khoon transcends the boundaries of religion and connects it
to humanity” (Hindustan Times, Chandigarh Live)
“an epic work”  (Lynn Slotkin, CBC Radio 1, Toronto)
 “...succeeds in buffing Islam to a heroic sheen in whose reflection we
look to  understand our past, to struggle for truth, to live life
purposefully.”  (Ron Csillag, National Post)

“Ek Qatra Khoon—A Drop of Blood” describes the historic Battle of
Karbala and the martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam
Hussein, 1400 years ago. A moving and inspiring account, the play draws
its relevance to contemporary times, becoming a plea for religious
tolerance and the basic rights of all humankind. 

Originally written and performed in Urdu by actor Ashwatthama JD, this
one-man show received critical acclaim all over India and garnered an
award at the International Fadjr Theatre Festival in Tehran. Sally
Jones brought it to Canada in May 2003 as an English-language
performance, where it was nominated for three Dora Awards, and won
“Outstanding Performance by a Male” in the Independent Theatre
Division. Ashwatthama JD became the first, and thus far only, South
Asian actor to win a Dora in this category.

“Ek Qatra Khoon” was the culmination of two years of intensive research
in Islamic history by JD, a Hindu. As part of this process he lived as
a Muslim and absorbed Islamic culture. Imam Hussein became a symbol for
him of bravery, sacrifice, and the fight for truth and justice. He has
enriched the narrative with verses from Mir Anis, Sahir Ludhivani, and
the Punjabi poet Pash, which come to life via his electrifying
recitation.  

Ek Qatra Khoon—A Drop of Blood
November 23 to December 3, 2006 (no performance on Monday, Nov 27)
Performed by Ashwatthama JD
Factory Theatre 125 Bathurst St. (corner of Bathurst St. & Adelaide
St), downtown Toronto 
Tickets: Wed – Sun $25; $20 seniors/students;  Tuesday, November 28 –
PayWhatYouCan – 8pm
Show times: Wed – Sat 8PM; matinees Sat & Sun @ 2:30PM
Tickets available: early November at - Factory Theatre Box Office
(416)504-9971; or www.factorytheatre.ca
 
Staging the Difference...
Rasik Arts - South Asian Theatre 
406-580 Christie St.
Toronto, ON M6G 3E3
tel. (416) 654-9231; Fax (416)-654-5129
Sally Jones, Artistic Director



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