Meet the TUCKSHOP girls

Polart and Pranesh Take TUCKSHOP to PlayHouse

In a little community on the border of Phoenix and KwaMashu, a tuckshop turns into a sanctuary for troubled residents.

This is the storyline of the play titled Tuckshop, which debuts at The Playhouse on May 20.

At Mr. Khan's tuckshop such issues as extra-marital affairs, HIV and Aids, domestic violence, inter-racial relationships and poverty are discussed.

All of the events in the production revolve around Mr. Khan's tuckshop, where he acts as the voice of reason in the troubled world of the central characters.

Written and produced by Pranesh Maharaj and directed by Riyash Misra of Polart Productions, Tuckshop is funny, but also highly emotional as it takes a glimpse into the lives of couple Sanjeev and Mala who lose a baby at birth and struggle to deal with this loss, but life must go on.


Sanjeev is down on his luck and spends most of his time in Lungi's shebeen, whilst Mala supports their family with her salary from an ordinary office job.

The dance moves in this musical drama are choreographed by Melanie Kisten and acts as a vehicle to light sub-textual emotions.

The cast comprises Anesh Dusrath, Yasmin Seedat, Lovie Ramas Rai , Tashmika Harilall, Salona Surjoo, Nthando Macube, Ayanda Khanyile, Michelle Kisten, Nomonde Matiwane, Darshana Moti and production manager Ilasha Ramelu.

Tickets available through Computicket (call 083 915 8000) or at the Playhouse Box office (call 031 369 9596/9540). Tuckshop will run at the Playhouse Drama Theatre from the 20th to the 23rd of May.

Anesh Dusrath Plays “Sanjeev”

Accountant and Comedian Anesh Dusrath plays the lead role of “Sanjeev” in Tuckshop. Anesh will star along side Yasmin Mohammed who plays the character of his wife “Mala’.
He has been in numerous events namely

Stage Productions Cassandra @ No.77
Devil in Disguise
Sapno Ka Safar
Radio Drama : Bloodlines


‘MUSIC VIDEOS’ by kem Chanlall. –which featured on SABC 3’s Eastern Mosaic, ZEE TV and Mnet.
Anesh also performs comedy duo’s with Pranesh at Fairs, Variety Concerts, Weddings, Birthdays, Engagements, Shows, etc throughout various venues in South Africa since 1997

THE DIRECTOR_ RIYASH MISRA

Riyash Misra hails from the sleepy hollow serenity of Pietermaritzburg. Born in Northdale Hospital and taking in enough Midmar Dam water before moving to Durban at the age of three, he was destined for great things.
Involved in the world of Arts and Drama from the tender age of 5yrs old, Riyash without any formal training surged ahead in the industry dabbling in Theatre, Film and TV work.
Always fascinated by cultures and people Riyash developed a niche to imitate accents and famous South African personalities.
A qualified Attorney Riyash never held back on his true passion. Also as an attorney it allowed him to become an even more convincing liar and thus a better actor.
Apart from being an Actor, Standup Comedian and Attorney, Riyash is also a qualified Film and Television Producer, Director and Editor and is carving a niche for himself in the ever growing industry as a young indie filmmaker that’s breaking boundaries in the Music Video industry and Feature Film Markets. As An actor Riyash has starred in Community, Playhouse Company, Civic Theater (JHB) and Monte Casino’s Theatro (JHB) productions namely:
1. Peter Pan
2. Grease
3. Mahatma Vs Gandhi (With bollywood actor Boman Irani directed by Bollywood Director Feroz Abbas Khan)
4. Magical Adventures of Mr. Willow
5. Thula Mataji
6. Cops, Coke and Cane
7. Beginning of the End
8. Popcorn
9. Pisscat and the Hole
10. Othello
And many others
As a Comedian Riyash has entertained and gave a great abs workout to many people through:
1. Lotus FM (fill in for Vickash Mathura doing all the voices such as Uncles Bala and Peru, Harry Mama and the Raj etc)
2. Cool Running’s underground comedy scene in JHB with John Vlismas and variety of other comedians
3. Toured with many events around the country for different promoters doing his comedy routine as a supporting act for Jae and other artists



As a Filmmaker, Riyash has 10yrs experience behind him working in the Film and Television Industry from Below the line to above the line work. His own projects have included 3 short films shown at the Durban film festival and Mnet’s Edit program in previous years.
1. End of the Line
2. The Daunting
3. Unsafe
His music videos have been broadcast on MTV Base, Channel O and SABC for Artists such as
1. The Blarney Brothers
2. K-Cap Music Group
3. LX Seth.
He is currently in pre-productions on a short film and feature film that aims to take the South African Film industry to a whole new level.
This is Riyash Misra, a man of many talents, unassuming and shy but surely someone to look out for.

Pranesh Maharaj

Pranesh Maharaj

Co-founder of Polart Productions and the Script writer of “TUCKSHOP” says that

“Criticism is your greatest teacher. It is a tool that can be used to shape the sculpture of your life.”


Pranesh has been in the entertainment industry for many years and has attained experience in all areas of acting such as film, television; radio drama’s and stage production.

His work include :



Radio
-The character Odour in short comedy ‘LORD OF THE NAVEL RINGS’ on Lotus FM.

-The character Kogilan in Sans Moonsamy’s ‘THE WAITING ROOM’ on Lotus FM.
And many more...


FILM
-SHOPKEEPER in a Feature Film ‘MY LITTLE BLACK HEART’

-The Husband in short film ‘STUCK IN TRAFFIC’ by James Brown.

-Groom in Upasna Behaari’s ‘ONE WEDDING AND A FUNERAL’


TV
-The character Mr Govardhan on SABC 1 TV series ‘BAY OF PLENTY’

-The Rap Artist in two ‘MUSIC VIDEOS’ by Kem Chanlall. – Shot by AV Centre -Studio at University of Durban Westville and featured on SABC 3’s Eastern Mosaic and Mnet.

-Uncle to Indian Family for Wimpy advert.

And Many more

Pranesh can be contacted on 082 295 1842 or pranesh@renweb.co.za

Marketing Division

Polart Productions Marketing Division

Salona Surjoo

Salona is a Media and Acting graduate of the University of KwaZulu Natal, who is incharge of all the Advertising and Marketing Prospects for Polart Productions. For more info contact Salona at

polartproductions@yahoo.com or call directly on +27 724244558

The Production

Polart Productions will be hosting a stage production of Tuckshop at The Playhouse Theatre Company in Durban, KwaZulu Natal.

Tuckhop is a play that reflects and poses questions about the subject matters that arise in a deteriorating socio-cultural environment in the areas of Phoenix and Kwa Mashu. Apart from trade, the tuckshop is seen as an informal counselling station where issues are told and unfolded…

Written by Pranesh Maharaj, Tuckshop was aired on Lotus FM as a radio drama. Radio Audience Measurement Survey (RAMS) proved there to be a peak in listener ship while Tuckshop was on, hence it has been adapted for a stage audience.