RIFCO Arts are one of the countries most exciting up and coming theatre companies. In 2005 their show The Deranged Marriage toured across the country to full houses and rave reviews. Artistic director Pravesh Kumar has always been committed to developing work with the community and has a grass roots approach to creating theatre. Pravesh is originally from Slough and believed strongly in giving something back to the town: 'Coming from Slough, I wanted to bring something back to somewhere that needed to develop the arts. Slough didn't even have a theatre.'
Like many artists Pravesh began his career by following the bright lights of London: 'I went to Westgate School and was heavily involved in the drama department, which is particularly strong in the school. After leaving Westgate I moved to London to train as an actor at the A.L.R.A. I went on to do some prestigious jobs, still in London. I then decided to move to Mumbai, India where I spent five years working in the Bollywood film industry as an assistant director.
'I worked with Arts Development quite early, I first met Andy Lee (Creative Arts Manager) in 2001 at the premiere of a film for Screen South. He immediately offered me his support and facilitated my move back to Slough from London. At first I had no office and was based in my mum's living room... for two years!'
At this time, and with growing interest from people like Pravesh, the arts in Slough were beginning to take off. With the development of the West Wing, Slough's first theatre for 28 years, a perfect match was made.
'Andy helped us by giving us office space at the West Wing. It's really important to have your own space and very important to be based in an artistic centre like the West Wing. It provides the space to develop your work. The objective is to develop new audiences and being at the West Wing is so important.'
In 2004 RIFCO launched their biggest project so far, The Deranged Marriage. Focusing on the customs and traditions of a British Asian wedding, the production took audiences by storm. Pravesh believes the success of the Deranged Marriage is down to working with the community:
'The Deranged Marriage was developed in Slough. It's set in Slough, in its community. The first line is 'but we are in Slough.' It's a local story that's amazingly received all over the country. From Leeds, to London to Windsor - all sold out.'
The Deranged Marriage has broken a trend for Asian theatre to be strictly the preserve of Asian audiences. Pravesh puts this huge achievement down to knowing his audience:
'Our first night at Windsor, the audience was 90% non Asian. You have to be truthful and work has to be accessible to local audiences. Audience development forms give us real feedback. We hand them out at the end of every show and use what's said to write the next production. I believe the audience leads this organisation. That's why 'Deranged Marriage' sold out during the World Cup final and Wimbledon tennis finals. It had lots of support from people already in the arts but people not in the arts loved it too. '
RIFCO have blossomed and in 2005 they became Slough's first Arts Council England Regularly Funded Organisation. RIFCO's innovative approach involves working in schools and with community groups, providing workshops that gather ideas and experiences. These are then woven into their productions. It's a unique style of working that has ensured RIFCO's work is grounded, appealing and above all accessible. Pravesh feels very strongly about RIFCO's unique working style:
'Working in the community is hugely beneficial, we do a lot of educational work at Wexham and Westgate school through Creative Partnerships. Working with young people in the community means our work reflects what people want. We're making British Asian theatre and art accessible across the country - From five - 75 year olds, people who don't go to the theatre and normal theatre audiences. We're making a production everyone wants to see.'
Last winter saw the launch of RIFCO's, Meri Christmas focussing on Christmas in a home for Asian elders and looking at the changing attitudes of the British Asian community towards older people and this summer sees their latest production taking 'There's something about Simi' taking place at Windsor's Theatre Royal. The sky very much seems to be the limit for RIFCO but it is their grounding in Slough and their honesty in portraying its community that keeps audiences coming back for more.
Interview: Gurjeet Kaur and Louise O'Dwyer Barnard
Photograph: Malcolm Glover