This is the story of how I once birthed a cow… kinda.
Jivesh is “Canadian.” And “Indian.” And “Hindu.” And “West Indian.” “Trinidadian” too. Or maybe he’s just colonized. In Take d Milk, Nah? Parasram blends personal storytelling and ritual to walk an audience through the Hin-do’s and Hin-don’ts at the intersections of these cultures. The show is a refreshingly candid and delightfully funny look at race, religion and nationalism(s): What divides us – and what we’re willing to accept in the desire to belong.
Oh, and there’s a cow.
"I was impressed — nay, thrilled — by its boldness."
Carly Maga | The Toronto Star
Creative Team
Written & Performed by Jivesh Parasram
Co-Created by Jivesh Parasram, Tom Arthur Davis, & Graham Isador
Directed by Tom Arthur Davis
Assistant Director: Graham Isador
Dramaturgy by Tom Arthur Davis & Graham Isador
Set & Costume Design by Anahita Dehbonehie
Lighting Design by Rebecca Vandevelde
Production Managed by Christopher Ross
Stage Managed by Heather Bellingham & Christopher Ross-Ewart
Originally Produced by Pandemic Theatre & b current performing arts, with the support of Theatre Passe Muraille
Tours Produced with Rumble Theatre
Producers for Pandemic Theatre: Jivesh Parasram & Tom Arthur Davis
Producer for b current: Catherine Hernandez
Producer for Rumble Theatre: Christie Watson
"Heartbreaking truths and hilarious asides. An inventive deconstruction of its dramatic genre."
Danny Kai Mak | The Georgia Straight
Production History
April 2023 • Theatre New Brunswick • Fredericton, NB
April 2023 • Highland Arts Theatre • Syndey, NS
March-April 2023 • Festival Antigonish • Antigonish, NS
March 2023 • Eastern Front Theatre • Dartmouth, NS
April 2020 • CBC PlayME Podcast Adaptation
April 2020 • Montréal, arts interculturels • Montréal, QC • Cancelled due to COVID-19
March 2020 • Theatre Passe Muraille • Toronto, ON • COVID-19 Digital Version
January 2020 • National Arts Centre • Ottawa, ON
October 2019 • The Cultch • Vancouver, BC
April 2018 • Theatre Passe Muraille • Toronto, ON
October 2017 • Caminos 2017 • Toronto, ON
August 2016 • Monsoon Festival • Surrey, BC
May 2016 • rock.paper.sistahz • Toronto, ON
"Powerful, provocative and unpredictable. Eye-opening."
Lynn Saxberg | Ottawa Citizen
Buy the Book
Take d Milk, Nah? is now a book published by Playwrights Canada Press.
Finalist for the 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama.
Order your copy today!
"Engaging. Hilarious. Incisive."
Jordan Bimm | NOW Magazine
Supporters
This project has been made possible through the generous support of b current performing arts, Theatre Passe Muraille, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Wuchien Michael Than Foundation, the Toronto Arts Council, and Obsidian Theatre Company (through the OAC Theatre Creators' Reserve).
