Q

Bombay Black remount casts male actor as female dancer

Rising theatre star Kawa Ada plays a young woman in an inventive remount of Bombay Black.
Kawa Ada plays the female lead in a new Toronto production of Bombay Black. (Flip Publicity)

He's a rising star in Canadian theatre, and Kawa Ada's latest role is a testament to his range. In an inventive remount of Bombay Black, Ada plays Apsara — a young, female dancer who makes her living performing for men in private. 

The Afghan-born Canadian actor joins Shad to explain the difference between playing and "playing at" women, why he initially felt conflicted about taking on the role, and how a personal trauma helps him tap into the darkest part of Apsara's story. 

How do you play a woman without "playing at" her? Bombay Black's Kawa Ada explains. (Joseph Michael Photography)
This is Apsara — the young, female star of Bombay Black. Hear how male actor Kawa Ada plays her without "playing at" her. (Joseph Michael Photography)