Jawai Raja: A Suitable Suitor is an uproarious comedy fable set in futuristic India that lambasts the arranged marriage and dowry system in India and among South Asians across the diaspora. The Year is 2050 and the population is reaching endemic proportions: Drastic action has to be taken and the Indian government is about to issue an edict banning marriages for 5 years. This law is to take effect in ten days time.

Mr and Mrs Lal who have two grown up daughters are rushing around looking for suitable matches for them before the new law takes effect. Cast and creed is no bar, but, their efforts have yielded nothing. In desperation the family clerk, Munimji, is dispatched into the streets to find someone and returns dragging a reluctant Baljit back to the family home.

Baljit realizes he could be onto a good thing as he begins to be showered with dowry presents, such as a bungalow, car and cash, as his due in order to be seduced into marrying one of the daughters. Together with his father, Tara Chand, they connive to get as much as they can from the Lal family.

However events take a drastic turn when the family astrologer pronounces that if the marriage takes place the ‘father-in-law’ will die. Can this dilemma be resolved? Will the sisters remain spinsters forever?

Jawai Raja: A Suitable Suitor takes you through many twists and turns with heightened slapstick moments as it invites audiences to take a critical look at the many cultural proclivities around the arranged marriage and dowry system in India.

Jawai Raja: A Suitable Suitor features several veterans of South Asian language theatre in Britain, namely Prem Modgil and Surender Matharu as the girls’ parents and Krishan Tandon as the groom’s father. Other cast members include Manjeet Johal, Saima Quraishi, Nahar Singh Gill & Aziz Zulfiquar.

This play was originally written and performed in Gujarati by Jayjayvanti Theatres and has toured nationally and internationally. This is the first time it is being performed in Punjabi. Jayjayvanti Theatres was set up in 1991 by the late writer and producer, Jayant Bhatt and Hina Baxi. To date the company has staged over 400 shows in a repertoire of 11 plays and venues in UK, USA, Canada and Portugal.

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