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National Theatre: Behind the Beautiful Forevers
October 4, 2015, 7:00 PM
FreeKatherine Boo spent three years in Annawadi recording the lives of its residents. From her uncompromising Beyond the Beautiful Forevers, winner of the National Book Award for Non-Fiction 2012, David Hare has fashioned a tumultuous play on an epic scale.
India is surging with global ambition. But beyond the luxury hotels surrounding Mumbai airport lies a makeshift slum, full of people with plans of their own. Zehrunisa and her son Abdul aim to recycle enough rubbish to fund a proper house. Sunil, twelve and stunted, wants to eat until he's as tall as Kalu the thief. Asha seeks to steal government anti-poverty funds to turn herself into a "first-class person," while her daughter Manju intends to become the slum's first female graduate. But their schemes are fragile; global recession threatens the garbage trade, and another slum-dweller is about to make an accusation that will destroy herself and shatter the neighborhood.
Recorded and broadcast from London's National Theatre and presented in collaboration with Colby College.
Contains strong language and some scenes of violence. Suitable for adults and teens (ages 14+).
(Note: Katherine Boo will receive the 2015 Lovejoy Award on October 5. She will receive an honorary doctoral degree along with the Lovejoy award and will deliver the Lovejoy Convocation address in Lorimer Chapel at 7:30 p.m.)