Bollywood category winners of S+S theatre festival announced
This year, Short+Sweet – the festival of tasty short theatre bites – announced a bright – and very colourful – new star in the Sydney theatre scene: Bollywood!
Between 19 March and 22 March Short+Sweet launched its latest version of the popular 10 minute theatre form: an exciting new dance festival featuring the Indian dance craze that has been sweeping the world.
The premiere event was held in Sydney, at the Fusebox in Marrickville’s Factory Theatre, and showcased the brilliant colour and dance as seen in Bollywood movies. The festival featured two distinct mainstage programs and Fast+Fresh Bollywood — for those under 18 years.
According to S+S Director Mark Cleary, this is not the first time Australia’s world famous short theatre organisation has stepped into the Indian performing art scene.
“We’ve been presenting Theatre and Dance festivals in India for the last four years with regular programs in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. We’ve also welcomed many of those shows to Australia. But this is the first time we’ve ‘imported’ an art form from another country,” he said.
Festival director AishveryaaNidhi said Short+Sweet Bollywood will add tadka or ‘spice’ to the Short+Sweet world. “We’re excited by the coming together of Indian and Australian culture,” she said.
Pieces ranged from solos to some featuring up to 20 dancers and include dance troupes from all over Sydney. There were awards on offer including Best Male Dancer, Best Female Dancer, Best Choreographer, Best Production, Best New Talent and Most Innovative Style. And the winners were:
Fast+Fresh
People’s Choice-Shaimak Show Kids
Judge’s Choice
First place – Shaimak Show Kids
Second Place – Prabhati Banerjee
Third Place – Swastik Institute of Dance
People’s Choice -Swastik Institute of Dance
Best Production -Swastik Institute of Dance
Most Innovative Style – Monsuun Dance
Best New Talent – John Boscoand Smritie Bhardwaj
Best Choreographer – SumatiLekhi
Best Male Dancer – Akash Arora and Ajesh Sharma
Best Female Dancer -ShabnamTavakol
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