2021 Play Readings
ICS Theatre began its Play Readings in 2020 to keep the community engaged and to keep the love of theatre going during the Covid-19 crisis. These play readings provide a safe place for the readers to experiment while having fun with other readers! No experience required!
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We offer monthly play readings to our community. See what plays we have read in 2021 below!

March Readings
East is East
March Play Reading commenced with the play East is East written by Ayub Khan-Din in 1996. Regarded as one of the key works to bring Asian culture to mainstream British audiences, the play was also made into a BAFTA Award–winning film of the same name released in 1999. The discussion was facilitated by Dr. Farley Richmond.

Mother Teresa is Dead
This group read Mother Teresa is Dead by Helen Edmundson. For Women's History Month, it was befitting to read a play, written by a woman and about two strong female protagonists. The play explored many deeper meanings of life, including the balance between one's own family and global causes. The readers really enjoyed the play and the thought-provoking and inspiring discussions that followed. The play reading was facilitated by Dr. Farley Richmond.

Gruesome Playground Injuries
This group read Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph. This play is a heart-wrenching play about two childhood friends who seem made for each other for their shared propensity for self-injury over three decades, and yet, keep pushing each other away again and again! The play reading was facilitated by Dr. Farley Richmond.

April Readings
Curse of the Starving Class
This group read "Curse of the Starving Class". Sam Shepard’s Curse of the Starving Class is a darkly comic look into the world of dysfunctional Tate family, as they struggle amongst themselves for food, freedom, and meaning in their run-down lives. The play had a lot of poetic monologues that the readers truly enjoyed! The play reading was facilitated by Dr. Farley Richmond.

Prastaav by Basab Pradhan & Chuhal by Manav Kaul
Prastaav, adapted from Anton Chekhov's 'The Proposal', is a short and hilarious play that speaks about the tumultuous strain between two neighbors while also exploring tendencies of wealthy families and their superficial nature.
Chuhal is light romantic comedy about a couple, with contrasting personalities and perspectives, and wanting different things in life.
The readers enjoyed both the plays and post-play discussions and reflections as well!

bEDROOM FARCE
This group read "Bedroom Farce" which is a comedy that contains a melee of events involving certain philandering characters, all occurring within similar moments of one another. Playwright Alan Ayckbourn's clever uses of time and space makes this a very intricate and sophisticated comedy while also portraying the deteriorating and rebuilding of relationships among young couples.

Divided By
'Divided By' is a Hindi play written by Basab Pradhan. The play beautifully paints a heartbreaking picture of an inter-religious marriage and the conflicts and tensions that arise with it. The group was thrilled to have the playwright, Mr. Basab Pradhan, join them for the session. The readers thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the inspiration for the play during the discussions.
