Synopsis
One day, in the bustling Schönefeld Airport in Germany, Shoko meets Yura, a young Russian man, by chance. Yura has traveled to Berlin to reunite with his girlfriend, but their meeting does not go as planned. Struggling with personal challenges and harboring a deep secret, Yura finds solace in sharing his favorite Russian story, Master and Margarita, with Shoko.
Through a series of short stories that blend reality with fantasy, spirituality with secularism, and music with dance, the performance explores universal themes of love, freedom, and the human condition. As Shoko and Yura’s friendship deepens, the boundaries between their worlds dissolve, revealing a shared space where cultural and personal differences no longer matter.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Shoko Ito is a multidisciplinary artist, performer, and director known for her innovative approach to storytelling and movement. With a background in dance, theater, and choreography, Shoko’s work often explores themes of identity, cultural exchange, and the human experience.
Shoko’s unique ability to blend physicality with narrative has earned her acclaim on international stages, with critics praising her “boundless charm” and “energetic talent.”
Director’s Note
“You will remember this day, the day with the perfect blue sky…”
In Master Shoko and Margarita, I wanted to explore the idea that we all inhabit the same shared space, regardless of our individual doors. One door may belong to a Nepali man, another to a Japanese woman, and yet another to our Nepali friends—but when we open these doors, we find ourselves in the same room, sharing the same world.
This performance is a meditation on the small yet profound moments that connect us as human beings. Through the story of Yura and his love for Master and Margarita, we delve into themes of freedom, love, and the search for meaning in a fragmented world. The blending of reality and fantasy, music and dance, reflects the complexity of our shared human experience.
About the Group
Founded in 1986, Borderless Art ITO-GUMI is a boundary-pushing theatre group founded by Shoko Ito, a visionary artist and director known for her innovative approach to performance art. Based in Saitama, Japan, with international connections, ITO-GUMI operates under the ethos of "Borderless Art," creating works that transcend cultural and artistic boundaries. The group is renowned for its experimental and interdisciplinary productions, blending traditional Japanese theatre with contemporary global influences.
It is a comprehensive theater company combining Japanese theater, painting, video, Japanese musical instruments, and dance.
CAST AND CREW
Onstage:
Shoko Ito
Offstage:
Choreography: Kei Takei
Technical in-charge: David Tenga
CONTACT DETAILS:
+49(0)176-72581989(EU)
+81(0)70 6578 5056(Japan)
tougetsuen@gmail.com (ITO-GUMI)
3131 Nishiasuma, Nishi-ku, Saitama,
Saitama, Japan 331-0061
www.shokoart.com
As the culmination of a three-day Theatre of the Oppressed workshop, this forum theatre production explores the myths, taboos, and realities of menstrual health in Nepal. Developed through movement, storytelling, and collective creation, the performance gives voice to personal and shared experiences, challenging stigma in an open and interactive space.
Through this powerful presentation, the young women participants invite the audience to engage, reflect, and become part of the conversation—transforming theatre into a tool for awareness and change.
Co facilitated by Theresa Hübsche, Malin Freytag and Saraswoti Chaudhary
About the Workshop:
This workshop uses Theatre of the Oppressed techniques to explore the myths, taboos, and realities of menstrual health in Nepal. Through movement, storytelling, and performance, participants will engage in open dialogue, reflect on their relationship with their bodies, and challenge menstrual stigma in a safe and empowering space. The workshop will culminate in a 1-hour performance on the final day, showcasing the participants' creative explorations.
Who Can Join?
Young women from Nepal (ages 16–25 years) interested in theatre, self-expression, and empowerment. No prior theatre experience required!
This workshop will take place on three days, culminating in a final performance on day 3. For participation in this workshop, whole time commitment is mandatory!
Dates: 22nd – 24th March
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Venue: Navya Nach Ghar, Sinamangal (Opposite of Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal Rd, Kathmandu)
Languages: English & Nepali
Facilitators:
Maximum participants: 15 – 20
Registration Fee: NPR 500/- (per session- please reach out to us via malin.freytag@giz.de if you're not able to cover the fee but still interested to participate in the workshop)
Contact for Registration: 9840873667 (Arjun Dulal, Workshop Coordinator)
We will take photos and videos during the workshop which will be used for a campaign film for World Menstrual Health & Hygiene Day. If you do not wish to be recorded, please let us know in advance.
About the Workshop:
How can we create a theatre that is truly accessible to as many people as possible? How can accessibility be integrated as a fundamental part of artistic expression rather than an afterthought? Does it really matter?
Join Birds of Paradise Theatre Company (BOP), Scotland’s leading disabled-led theatre company, for an engaging workshop exploring innovative ways to make live performance accessible. With a track record of producing award-winning musicals, scripted plays, and devised works, BOP ensures accessibility is embedded into every stage of the creative process. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, this workshop will introduce practical techniques to integrate access without compromising artistic ambition.
Facilitators:
Who Can Join?
Open to anyone interested in making theatre more accessible.
🔹 Max Participants: 20
Registration Fee: NPR 500/- (per session)
For registration support and more information: 9840873667 (Arjun Dulal, Workshop Coordinator)
Synopsis:
New Normal follows friends Aaravi, Minal, and Smriti as they navigate the past, present, and future after the unexpected arrival of people from the old world—Earth. Why have they come, and how will they adapt? When the trio meets Diya, they quickly realize that their world is about to change in ways they never imagined.
New Normal is an original play which has resulted from an exciting international collaboration between disabled artists in Nepal and Scotland. The play has been developed through 'Unwrap', a series of creative development workshops and weaves ideas and new writing from artists in both countries to create a truly collaborative new work of accessible theatre that explores how the tales we tell and the myths we build can define us and our societies. The play creatively embeds access provisions such as Nepali sign language, captioning and audio description.
About the Directors:
Morna is a disabled theatre-maker, facilitator, director, dramaturg and mentor- working across a multitude of theatre settings in Scotland and internationally since 2009. Morna is passionate about creating space for people who are currently under-represented within the arts to make the work they want to exist in the world.
Gunjan Dixit is a theatre practitioner, director, and educator specializing in applied theatre and socially engaged performance. A Chevening Scholar with a Master’s from the University of Leeds, she co-founded Phulbari Playback Theatre in Nepal. Her work fosters dialogue through artistic interventions, using theatre as a catalyst for social change.
Director's Note:
While we looked to the past and the present to explore the experience of disabled people in Scotland and Nepal, it was the future that became our focus as we started to explore what a more positive and equitable world would be like. This has led us to a unique place where we can bring together all our ideas and directly utilize new writing and personal stories from the group.
About the Group:
Birds of Paradise Theatre Company (BOP) is Scotland’s preeminent pioneering disability-led theatre company and a force for change. Diverse Patterns is a Nepal-based organization committed to advancing disability inclusion and digital accessibility through training, partnerships, and advocacy.
BOP and Diverse Patterns have partnered together on the project Unwrap, which has resulted in this new accessible production. Unwrap is an international collaboration that has brought together ten artists from Scotland and Nepal. These artists have collaborated remotely through online workshops that explored artistic practice, storytelling and creative access. Unwrap is an Unlimited International Open Award 2024 commissioned by the British Council.
Access
Performed in Nepali, with English and Nepali captions and integrated Nepali Sign Language and Audio Description.
Cast and Crew:
On Stage:
Off Stage:
Contact Details:
Birds of Paradise Theatre Company
Scotland, UK
Diverse Patterns,
Kathmandu, Nepal
Synopsis:
New Normal follows friends Aaravi, Minal, and Smriti as they navigate the past, present, and future after the unexpected arrival of people from the old world—Earth. Why have they come, and how will they adapt? When the trio meets Diya, they quickly realize that their world is about to change in ways they never imagined.
New Normal is an original play which has resulted from an exciting international collaboration between disabled artists in Nepal and Scotland. The play has been developed through 'Unwrap', a series of creative development workshops and weaves ideas and new writing from artists in both countries to create a truly collaborative new work of accessible theatre that explores how the tales we tell and the myths we build can define us and our societies. The play creatively embeds access provisions such as Nepali sign language, captioning and audio description.
About the Directors:
Morna is a disabled theatre-maker, facilitator, director, dramaturg and mentor- working across a multitude of theatre settings in Scotland and internationally since 2009. Morna is passionate about creating space for people who are currently under-represented within the arts to make the work they want to exist in the world.
Gunjan Dixit is a theatre practitioner, director, and educator specializing in applied theatre and socially engaged performance. A Chevening Scholar with a Master’s from the University of Leeds, she co-founded Phulbari Playback Theatre in Nepal. Her work fosters dialogue through artistic interventions, using theatre as a catalyst for social change.
Director's Note:
While we looked to the past and the present to explore the experience of disabled people in Scotland and Nepal, it was the future that became our focus as we started to explore what a more positive and equitable world would be like. This has led us to a unique place where we can bring together all our ideas and directly utilize new writing and personal stories from the group.
About the Group:
Birds of Paradise Theatre Company (BOP) is Scotland’s preeminent pioneering disability-led theatre company and a force for change. Diverse Patterns is a Nepal-based organization committed to advancing disability inclusion and digital accessibility through training, partnerships, and advocacy.
BOP and Diverse Patterns have partnered together on the project Unwrap, which has resulted in this new accessible production. Unwrap is an international collaboration that has brought together ten artists from Scotland and Nepal. These artists have collaborated remotely through online workshops that explored artistic practice, storytelling and creative access. Unwrap is an Unlimited International Open Award 2024 commissioned by the British Council.
Access
Performed in Nepali, with English and Nepali captions and integrated Nepali Sign Language and Audio Description.
Cast and Crew:
On Stage:
Off Stage:
Contact Details:
Birds of Paradise Theatre Company
Scotland, UK
Diverse Patterns,
Kathmandu, Nepal
Synopsis:
Playback Theatre is an interactive and improvisational form of theatre where audience members share personal stories, which actors and musicians instantly bring to life on stage. Founded in 1975 by Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas, this unique art form blends oral traditions, psychodrama, and communal storytelling to foster empathy, reflection, and connection. Now practiced in over 70 countries, it thrives in schools, workplaces, therapy, and community spaces, bridging cultural divides and sparking dialogue.
Our theme, Wisdom of Life, explores the lessons that shape us—some gentle, others transformative—each enriching our understanding of what it means to be human. By bringing personal narratives to the stage, we honor life’s complexity, celebrating both struggles and triumphs. In sharing stories, we create a space where every experience, no matter how big or small, resonates with others, reminding us of our shared journey toward meaning and growth.
About the Conductor:
Ingi Hopo Koinch Sunuwar is a visionary Nepali theatre artist known for his work as an actor, director, writer, facilitator, and designer. Since his acclaimed debut in JAAR: Bhayekai Euta Katha with Mandala Theatre in 2014, he has continually pushed creative boundaries. Founder of Mamaa Arts Pvt. Ltd. and co-founder of Phulbari Playback Theatre, his performances bridge cultures and inspire audiences worldwide. He has got advanced training on playback theatre with its co-founder Jonathan Fox. Through innovative storytelling and technical artistry, he continues to make a profound impact on global theatre.
Conductor's Note:
At Phulbari Playback Theatre, we believe every personal story holds a kernel of wisdom, waiting to be unearthed through the power of shared experience. Through this performance, we gather stories—of joy, heartbreak, intuition, love, and resilience—that encapsulate the myriad lessons life offers. Presenting our playback theatre performance at an international festival is more than just a show; it is an opportunity to embrace narratives from every corner of the globe. On this global stage, we anticipate stories that traverse diverse cultures, languages, and life experiences. Each narrative contributes a unique insight into the universal quest for meaning and connection. By inviting contributions from around the world, we celebrate a mosaic of human wisdom—stories that echo the shared emotions and challenges that bind us all. This enriching blend of experiences not only deepens our own understanding but also fosters a global dialogue on the complexities of the human condition. In essence, our performance becomes a living tapestry where every thread of personal history interweaves with another, highlighting that the lessons of life—be they easy, hard, intuitive, or steeped in love—are as diverse as the people who share them.
About the Group:
Phulbari Playback Theatre is a collective dedicated to celebrating the diversity of human experiences. Much like a garden that blooms with flowers of various colors and forms, our group seeks to embrace and portray stories from all walks of life, highlighting their unique authenticity and beauty. Through the art of Playback Theatre, we aim to create a safe, inclusive space where individuals can share their narratives and see them transformed into moving, improvisational performances. Phulbari Playback Theatre strives to foster connection, empathy, and understanding by bringing diverse voices together into a shared space.
Cast and Crew
Contact Details:
Synopsis:
This solo psychological drama delves into the internal struggles of a character who confronts a repressed dimension of his own personality. Initially in conflict, these two aspects of himself gradually move toward understanding, acceptance, and coexistence. As equilibrium is reached, the sudden arrival of a third presence—symbolizing yet another layer of his subconscious—triggers a moment of surprise and transformation, deepening the exploration of identity and self-knowledge.
About the Director:
Ahmad Naddafi is an accomplished theater director and actor, in addition to his work in cinema. His stage productions focus on social, human, and cultural themes, blending artistic innovation with personal experience to offer audiences deeper conceptual explorations. His creative approach has earned him recognition in the theater world. Beyond directing and writing, Naddafi has participated in national and international festivals, representing Iran at events in Karachi, Moscow, Muscat, and beyond.
Director's Words:
Psychological theater is a genre of drama that focuses on the representation of mental dimensions, internal conflicts, and psychological processes of the characters instead of linear and conventional narrative. This type of theater, in fact, turns the stage into a platform for visualizing inner thoughts, feelings, and conflicts. Characters can symbolize different parts of a person's mind, identity, or unconscious, and the interaction between them is more than just a simple conversation, but a representation of the cognitive and emotional processes of the human mind.
In this type of drama, external reality is usually shattered and replaced by mental, dreamy, and sometimes abstract spaces. Characters may contradict themselves, change in different ways, or discover new dimensions of themselves during the performance. One of the main goals of this theater is to invite the audience to an inner journey—a journey in which one is encouraged to confront the invisible parts of one's psyche.
Ultimately, psychological theater is not just a story, but a mental and emotional experience that challenges the audience to look within themselves.
About the Group:
The Petoaj Art Group, founded in 2002 by Ahmad Nadafi, is a leading Iranian theatre group active in directing, acting, and festival participation. It annually trains students at the School of Performing Arts, with their performances reaching top national festivals. Internationally, the group has performed in Moscow and Karachi. Nadafi, a renowned writer, director, professor, and festival judge, has won multiple awards and plays a key role in Iran’s Fajr Festival. Petoaj also organizes theatre festivals and has presented notable works like My Sister Is Ismaneh, Regal, and Mr. X at prestigious Iranian festivals.
Cast and Crew:
Cast: Alireza Zare and Younes Abolmasoumi
Third and Behind the Scenes Actor: Ali Asal
Contact Details:
Iran, Yazd, Yazd, Farhangian Crossroads to Iranshahr Inside Crossroads, Sahneh School of Performing Arts
Company Phone : +98 37267799
Email: alirezazare379.gmail.com
Synopsis:
This solo psychological drama delves into the internal struggles of a character who confronts a repressed dimension of his own personality. Initially in conflict, these two aspects of himself gradually move toward understanding, acceptance, and coexistence. As equilibrium is reached, the sudden arrival of a third presence—symbolizing yet another layer of his subconscious—triggers a moment of surprise and transformation, deepening the exploration of identity and self-knowledge.
About the Director:
Ahmad Naddafi is an accomplished theater director and actor, in addition to his work in cinema. His stage productions focus on social, human, and cultural themes, blending artistic innovation with personal experience to offer audiences deeper conceptual explorations. His creative approach has earned him recognition in the theater world. Beyond directing and writing, Naddafi has participated in national and international festivals, representing Iran at events in Karachi, Moscow, Muscat, and beyond.
Director's Words:
Psychological theater is a genre of drama that focuses on the representation of mental dimensions, internal conflicts, and psychological processes of the characters instead of linear and conventional narrative. This type of theater, in fact, turns the stage into a platform for visualizing inner thoughts, feelings, and conflicts. Characters can symbolize different parts of a person's mind, identity, or unconscious, and the interaction between them is more than just a simple conversation, but a representation of the cognitive and emotional processes of the human mind.
In this type of drama, external reality is usually shattered and replaced by mental, dreamy, and sometimes abstract spaces. Characters may contradict themselves, change in different ways, or discover new dimensions of themselves during the performance. One of the main goals of this theater is to invite the audience to an inner journey—a journey in which one is encouraged to confront the invisible parts of one's psyche.
Ultimately, psychological theater is not just a story, but a mental and emotional experience that challenges the audience to look within themselves.
About the Group:
The Petoaj Art Group, founded in 2002 by Ahmad Nadafi, is a leading Iranian theatre group active in directing, acting, and festival participation. It annually trains students at the School of Performing Arts, with their performances reaching top national festivals. Internationally, the group has performed in Moscow and Karachi. Nadafi, a renowned writer, director, professor, and festival judge, has won multiple awards and plays a key role in Iran’s Fajr Festival. Petoaj also organizes theatre festivals and has presented notable works like My Sister Is Ismaneh, Regal, and Mr. X at prestigious Iranian festivals.
Cast and Crew:
Cast: Alireza Zare and Younes Abolmasoumi
Third and Behind the Scenes Actor: Ali Asal
Contact Details:
Iran, Yazd, Yazd, Farhangian Crossroads to Iranshahr Inside Crossroads, Sahneh School of Performing Arts
Company Phone : +98 37267799
Email: alirezazare379.gmail.com
Synopsis:
Aboriginal Cry opens with the harmonious connection between the aborigine and their land—rivers, forests, paddy fields, lakes, and hills passed down by ancestors, expressed through sounds and movement. But this sacred inheritance is threatened by the arrival of powerful corporate forces, backed by the state. Tensions rise as the aborigines confront these forces in a clash of sound and fury. The aborigines fight to protect their land, culture, and values, while the brute forces respond with oppressive, discordant noise. Ultimately, the aborigines are displaced to barren land, stripped of their heritage, and overcome with helplessness. In the face of such loss, their anguished cry echoes—a cry of pain, yet of resilience, as they vow to fight for their roots. The play tries to depict the hardships of displaced people and communities affected by 6 mega dams in Manipur in India.
About the Director:
Thoudam Victor, a National School of Drama (NSD) graduate (2009–2012), has trained under Heisnam Kanhailal and Ema Sabitri at Kalakshetra Manipur. A Charles Wallace India Trust Scholar (2014–15), he studied ‘Advanced Theatre Practice’ in London. He holds a Junior Research Fellowship from India’s Ministry of Culture and an MA in Devised Theatre from Rose Bruford College. His plays have been staged at national and international festivals, earning him awards, including Best Actor at META 2023. He has taught at NSD (Delhi, Tripura, Sikkim), Manipur University of Culture, and Central University of Hyderabad.
Directors' Note:
The story of targeting the resources of indigenous people by giant corporation have become a common phenomenon in different parts of the world, and Manipur is no exception. The play ‘Aboriginal Cry’ is about such phenomena where the aboriginal or the indigenous people becomes the target for acquiring land, rivers, forest, hills and other resources by giant powerful corporation. We try to explore this phenomenon through sound and the body of the indigene. For the indigenous people body becomes a sacred entity of relations between land, rituals and cultures. Without the land, the body becomes barren and could not embody values passed down from their ancestors, leaving the indigenous body in a very unproductive situation. Therefore, the play tries to address such brutal impact from the construction of mega dams in Manipur through a poetic body.
About the Group:
Akhoka is a collective of artists from diverse disciplines dedicated to creating critical theatre and art through collaboration. Focused on addressing socio-economic and political issues, Akhoka explores community-engaged performances in spaces affected by conflict, urbanization, and displacement. The collective seeks alternative, sustainable environments for artistic practice and aims to push the boundaries of both their own work and the field. Committed to inclusive arts, Akhoka invites individuals from all backgrounds to join and contribute to fostering a better vision through theatre and related artistic activities.
Cast and Crew:
On Stage:
Off Stage:
Contact Details:
Kontha Khabam Chumbreithong, Near Central Academy, P.O - Mantripukhri, Imphal East, Manipur - 795002, India.
