On stage March 13, 14, 15

The Grand Theatre presents
Bye Bye Bombay
Written and performed by Cara Yeates
Directed by Jonno Katz
Music by Tarun

"Honest, thoughtful and original, Bye Bye Bombay is both well written and well executed; as touching as it is funny." - Eye Magazine

Watch the Bye Bye Bombay! trailer
33mb, .mov/Quicktime format

"I went to India to write a play. I didn't expect to start working in Bollywood." says writer and performer of Bye Bye Bombay, Cara Yeates. On her first night in Bombay Cara was asked to be an extra in a Bollywood film. Within a week she had an agent sponsoring her work visa. Work visa in hand, Yeates' one month trip was extended to four.

Right before leaving Mumbai, Cara was asked to audition for a feature film shooting in the Maldives. She decided instead to come home and tour her play on the Fringe circuit. "I am seriously thinking of going back in the Fall," confesses Yeates, "I already have several potential projects lined up."

Cara is happy with her decision to come back to Canada and do an eight city tour of Bye Bye Bombay. Yeates returned to Vancouver and went to work with Australian director and fringe favourite Jonno Katz (Cactus, Uber Alice - "Pick of the Fringe"). The two artists shaped the show through an intensive rehearsal process; described by Yeates as, "coming home, throwing some masala, chutney and ghee on my experiences and voila! Bye Bye Bombay was born." Soon after its birth Bye Bye Bombay hit the road touring to Fringe Festivals across Canada receiving rave reviews, sold out houses and "Pick of the Fringe" award (Saskatoon).

Bye Bye Bombay is the story of Gauri, a troubled teen who runs away to India. Paralleling Yeates' story, a chance encounter leads to Gauri's work in Bollywood. A multimedia trip, Bye Bye Bombay incorporates a blend of fast-flashing images and sounds that draw the audience deep into the heart of India. Part of the story is also told by two puppets, Sunita and Rajesh. Cara built these puppets in the desert of Rajasthan under the guidance of professional puppet maker Panallal Natu.

Sound design was provided by Tarun (Beats without Borders, Delhi to Dublin). The visuals were edited by Yeates. They feature a montage of video by Cameron Avery, Yeates' own video and original artwork, as well as photography from 'Joy India'. Cara tracked down 'Joy India' photographer at his secluded home in the utopia Auroville to ask his permission to use his art in the show.

This show has been a long time in development. Over the last year Cara worked on the piece with One Yellow Rabbit Theatre Company during their Summer Lab Intensive, as well as with Aaron Bushkowski through Vancouver's Playwrights Theatre Centre.

A graduate of the Dalhousie Theatre Program, this is Cara's second solo tour. Her first play, Knee Deep in Muck toured the Canadian Fringe circuit in 2005 ('Pick of the Fringe'- Favourite Female Performer, ***** -Times Columnist, **** - Vancouver Sun, **** Winnipeg Free Press).