If Penelope and Draupadi met, what would they say to each other? What stories would they share? What dreams might they weave together? In this unique exploration of parallel narratives, What Draupadi Said to Penelope delves into the stories of women from the Mahabharata. Set against the backdrop of Penelope’s chambers, the performers bring forth tales of choice, resistance, oppression, and violence.

As the nocturnal wind whispers stories to Penelope, the boundaries between her and the characters blur, challenging the traditional male-centric narratives of the epics. This transnational feminist creative project, in dialogue with the work of Margaret Atwood, Mahasweta Devi and Nayyirah Waheed among others, offers an immersive artistic experience. The performance is a courageous reimagining that disrupts established norms and offers a fresh perspective.

Accompanied by a fusion of classical and contemporary musical styles, the pieces are intricately intertwined with Indian Classical Contemporary dance and movement. The synergy between the performers and the music amplifies the emotional depth of the stories, creating a multisensory journey that resonates long after the curtains fall.

Theiya Arts are thrilled to present What Draupadi Said to Penelope to our Edinburgh Festival Fringe audiences. Tickets for What Draupadi Said to Penelope are available at https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/what-draupadi-said-to-penelope or by contacting Fringe Box office +44 (0)131 226 0000. For more information about the show and Theiya Arts, please visit https://theiya.org/ and follow us on Instagram @theiyaarts or Facebook @Theiya Arts.

Join us for an evening of poignant reflection and artistic brilliance.

Performance Dates: 24, 25, 26, 27 August 2023  

Time: 19:30

Duration: 1 hour  

Age Recommendation: 12+  

Content Advisory: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes