INSPIRED by British ‘lads culture’, Playball kicks off its national tour at Manhester's Contact Theatre today.

It’s a dynamic triple bill of short South Asian dance pieces from a male-dominated cast. The work shows off ‘what the lads do’ when at work, when at play and when in love…and boy do they show off!

Bend it… is on football. Let’s play ball! The use of complex footwork that bharatanatyam and football share makes a testosterone-charged, peacock-like display of skill. The dancers and musicians become players… they tackle, they shoot, they fake injury like all the greats and a goal is scored. The crowd erupts and the celebration dance ensues. Never has bharatanatyam been so competitive!

Playball continues the unparalleled collaboration between choreographer Nina Rajarani and composer Y Yadavan.

Playball is a Srishti production. The London-based dance company that exist to create and present work that maintains the authenticity of Indian classical dance and music whilst presenting these forms in innovative ways and within contemporary contexts.

For more information on Contact visit www.contact-theatre.org