The loud and queer colours of Bollywood willonce again take centre stage during this year’sSydney Mardi Gras festival, thanks to YATRA – asequin studded stage show, which will beperformed over two weekends in February atNewtown’s King Street Theatre.

YATRA is produced by Trikone Australasia, aSydney-based support group for GLBTIQ peopleof South Asian origin living in Australia that
previously brought you In the Space Between (2011) and The Last Chai (2013).
Inspired by Bollywood blockbusters and Kama Sutra movie (1996), YATRA is a queer Bollywooddrama with an enticing story, glamorouscostumes and spectacular dance performances.

“We are thrilled to include Trikone Australasia’s new production YATRA: A Magical Journey in the 2015 Mardi Gras Festival” says James Rogan-Hall, Festival Producer, Sydney Gay and Lesbian
Mardi Gras.

“Mardi Gras exists as a platform for expression for all of our diverse LGBTQI communities, and Trikone have a long and distinguished history of highlighting and celebrating South Asian cultureand performance as part of the Festival.The colour and vibrancy of Trikone’s work is perfect fit forMardi Gras, uniquely blending the heightened emotions and spectacle of Bollywood withcontemporary storytelling.”

The show features 10 cast members and seven dazzling dance performances, promising an evening of quintessential Bollywood entertainment.

“I am delighted, once again, to be invited to direct Trikone’s 2015 Mardi Gras production” saidthe play’s director, Nigel Balm.
“YATRA is a wonderful original story that mirrors characters in bothmodern and ancient eras, exploring gay sex, relationships and rejection.”

“YATRA is another ‘Queer-Bolly’ thought provoking production brought to the 2015 Mardi Grasfestival by our small amateur but energetic and enthusiastic Trikone members” said Alan Maurice,one of the board of directors and co-founders of Trikone Australasia.”

John Peters, one of the co-script writers, believes “at its heart, YATRA is a story of love, personalgrowth, a desire for simpler times, and the realisation that it takes courage and strength to be true to ourselves, no matter what time period we find ourselves in. Combining colourfulBollywooddance numbers, outrageous characters, tongue in cheek humours and poignant moments, YATRAis a truly magical journey that we invite you to take with us this Mardi Gras festival!”

“The concept of Bollywood is still relatively new for a lot of Australians, and YATRA’scolourfulsong-and-dance routines are sure to bring a smile on the face of each theatregoer.” saidKunalMirchandani, the show’s co-scriptwriter and one of the board of directors of Trikone.

“We have ahistory of putting on song-and-dance productions in Sydney long before Slumdog Millionairemade Bollywood a household name”, saidMirchandani who has been a regular performer in allthe Bollywood gay productions in Sydney.