Bag Dancing is a story about two unlikely companions on the margins of society. At the heart of the play is Imelda, an elderly homeless woman, sharp-witted and full of unexpected grace, who moves through the world with all her possessions in bags. Her past is heavy with survival, her spirit defiantly light. On her journey, she meets Neville, the shy caretaker of a homeless shelter, withdrawn and haunted by his own history, especially his mother’s struggles with mental health. The two gradually forge a connection built on humour, trust, and tenderness. Her stories coax him out of his shell. His steady presence anchors her. Together, they find companionship in a world that often forgets people like them. Bag Dancing is a heartwarming celebration of resilience, memory, and the human capacity for joy, even in the most precarious of lives.

Writer:

Mike Kenny is one of England’s leading writers specialising in young people’s theatre. His notable works include Boy with a Suitcase, The Railway Children, Cinderella, Bag Dancing, and Diary of an Action Man. Recipient of numerous awards, he was included in the Independent on Sunday newspaper’s list of Top Ten Living Playwrights. In 2000, he was Arts Council England’s first recipient of The Children’s Award for Playwriting for Children and Young People. In 2013 he was given an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Nottingham University, England.

Director:

Ujwala Rao is a theatre-maker – actor, dramaturg, director – based in Bengaluru. In 2019, Ujwala was awarded the Chevening Scholarship to pursue an MA in Theatre-Making at the University of York. She has collaborated with numerous theatre groups and has directed several notable plays, including 4.48 Psychosis, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, and ROP/E. Her recent directorial work, We Push the Sky, created in collaboration with the Qabila Collective, is currently touring across India and was featured at The Freedom Theatre Palestine’s Feminist Theatre Festival in 2023.

Director’s Note

Bag Dancing is a play that has continually drawn me back, time and time again. What keeps me coming back to it is how playwright Mike Kenny playfully yet sensitively engages with themes like war, displacement, and the relationship between mental health and authority, all through a lens that speaks directly to children and young audiences. Throughout the creative process, what I have found particularly interesting is the exploration of boxes and borders—who creates them, who defines their significance, and how we navigate the spaces they confine. This play, I believe, offers an opportunity for families and educational institutions to open meaningful conversations with children and hold discussions that can help them grapple with questions and ideas that might otherwise feel too challenging or uncomfortable to address.

Group:

Butai Trust, established in 2024, is a non-profit organization founded by a group of passionate theatre enthusiasts. The name “Butai” is derived from the Japanese word meaning “stage”. It also resonates with the Kannada word “Bhootaayi,” meaning “Mother Earth.” The group aspires to bring stories to life on stage, creating memorable experiences for audiences of all ages with the utmost care and integrity. We offer productions that cater to both children and adults alike.