HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan
About the show
With original music, colors of India, and a story that is sure to remind you of Bollywood, Dipti Mehta's solo-show centers around a mother-daughter duo in the red light districts of Mumbai. More…
"Honour" offers an experience of India and its magnanimous culture and breaks stereotypes about people living in the brothels by bringing forth their humanity.
for a previous production “Beautiful and devastating...All five of the play’s characters are wondrously portrayed by Mehta, who uses monologue and dance to guide us through their world of plans made and deals struck. Even as it invites the audience to take a hard look at the life of sex workers, ‘Honour’ seems to stare back at us, as though to ask, ‘Hey, American, does this make you uncomfortable?’ You bet it does, and we’re the better for it.” Full Review
for a previous production "While by no means does Dipti Mehta’s one-woman show shy away from the more brutal aspects of its story, it also reveals itself to be full of life, humor, and beauty. This is the show’s great triumph…Mehta effortlessly switches between numerous characters…'Honour' ably juggles tones and styles, combining heartbreaking storytelling with jokes and dance numbers...If there’s any criticism, it’s that 'Honour' is a bit long...A highly successful piece of theater." Full Review
for a previous production "Mehta beautifully embodies each role…She makes her incredibly controlled performance appear spontaneous and effortless, while fully and crisply embodying the characters…Each story is skillfully crafted and connected, and Mehta gracefully transitions from one character to the other...'Honour' stirs many emotions — alternately fun, sad, touching, comedic, and entertaining — while bringing light to a serious subject matter in modern society: sex trade and the women involved." Full Review
for a previous production "Dipti Mehta has put together a well-structured and authentic-feeling tale that is witty, graceful and pointed. But I’m afraid my reaction to ‘Honour’ became much more positive after getting hold of the script. I found much of the play difficult to follow as a stage show...As wonderful a performer as Mehta is, her mimicry is not her strongest skill, making it difficult at times to figure out what character she is playing." Full Review
for a previous production “Mehta’s provocative one-woman piece is about half a dozen denizens of a Mumbai brothel...It has a great deal going for it in both its subject matter and Mehta’s versatile performance...Unhappily, it has her speaking a mumbo jumbo patois using huge swaths of Indian-accented dialogue, replete with colorfully broken English and Hindi. When she switches from English to Hindi and back again, as she often does, you may not even be sure where one ends and the other begins.” Full Review
See it if You are interested in problems of poverty and women in developing countries
Don't see it if Discussion of child prostitution offends or upsets you. You dislike solo shows (even though 1 actress portrayed 5 characters well)
Also This actress was amazing in that she portrayed 5 characters well, gest... Read more Read less
See it if you're interested in women's issues, Indian culture, and complexities in other culture's society's.
Don't see it if If you get uncomfortable or closed minded about the culture of prostitution.
See it if You will be astounded by the end of it that this is was a one woman show. Dipti Mehta is captivating and you don't want to miss this!
Don't see it if n/a
See it if appreciate independent art, have an open mind to learn about the underworld portrayed with humor and excellent acting
Don't see it if want to avoid content related to sex work
See it if You like good acting, good writing, and fantastic stories.
Don't see it if You're triggered by sex work.
See it if you want to see an actress masterfully switch between characters to bring you a newfound understanding of the world of underage prostitution
Don't see it if you find it difficult when a few words other than English are sprinkled throughout a play.
See it if The show paints a very clear picture of the hardships that exists inside a brothel.
Don't see it if you don't like hearing stories of rape and abuse or descriptions of bloody graphic imagery
See it if Captivating storytelling through great acting & nuanced characters. Perfect balance b/w explaining context and letting us feel the emotions.
Don't see it if You don't have an appetite to learn about some of the horrors that millions of people around the world live through
See it if UPDATED: you want to see the attack on Hindi social and cultural beliefs perpetuating the sex trafficking industry as a cultural phenomenon
Don't see it if multiple languages in a show disturb you
Also The new version of the show seems to be Ms. Mehti's reaction to the re... Read more Read less
See it if you just want to see a great performance by a beautiful talented actress or want to enter the home and minds of a Bombay sex-worker
Don't see it if you expect the life of real people to be sweetness and light
See it if Are open to Mehta's strongest quality to indulge you in the rawness of india, your emotions, humour and empathy. Then flip it and prod you
Don't see it if You are a stiff close minded human with no imagination nor curiousity
See it if you are interested in learning more about the women in India destined to work in the sex industry and solo performances
Don't see it if you want a full colorful Bollywood experience. The set is sparse probably because of the limitations of being in fringeNYC
See it if you want to see a talented young Indian actress, dancer, singer present the issues of the sex trade in India in an intelligent G rated way.
Don't see it if you go to the theater to be entertained and not to think.
See it if You are interested in the culture surrounding prostitution in India. You enjoy Bollywood You like shouting, clapping or singing along
Don't see it if You have difficulty with thick accents. Stories about violence or sexual violence upset you
See it if you love Indian dance and costume , actress playing many characters, human struggle in child prostitution
Don't see it if you bothered by Indian accented English
See it if You want to watch a beautiful play full of humor, great dancing, wonderful acting and the everyday tragedies of Mumbai brothels.
Don't see it if You have trouble understanding fast speech with thick accents, or feel uncomfortable with themes of sex and abuse.
See it if Want a life changing, eye opening experience. Want to make the world a better place. Enjoy culture, dance, great acting, and great writing
Don't see it if You don't care to learn about culture, hardship and survival.
See it if You like engaging, socially conscious theatre that gives back! (Proceeds go to Apneaap to help young girls caught in the sex trade)
Don't see it if You want a mindless night of entertainment
See it if I was moved by the sensitive depiction of the prostitute and her daughter's relationship. It was a difficult subject handled entertainingly
Don't see it if Don't like Bollywood music
See it if You love well told, must be told, women's plights. The performance was amazing. A one woman show. She was fantastic.
Don't see it if You have no compassion and can't laugh.
See it if If you want to see the world outside of our comfort zone. And enjoy other cultures
Don't see it if If you are offended by sexual themes and bold content
See it if you are into great, dynamic, character work and a poignant story handled with incredible finesse.
Don't see it if you are offended by strong language and sexual themes.
See it if If you are looking for a show spanning a spectrum of emotions-you laugh, cry, cringe, think, feel with the characters!
Don't see it if If you mind profanity, use of colloquial language and or bollywood music
See it if You like unique voices and story telling that incorporates Asian Indian song, dance and myth.
Don't see it if You are disinterested in a dynamic challenging piece that donates its proceeds to help children escape the sex trade.
See it if If you are South East Asian or enjoy Indian culture, Bollywood and edgy stories
Don't see it if If you get upset with sexual content and swearing