Back at the beginning of January 2023 we announced that Ria Meera Munshi from Ri Ri’s Dance Academy was part of this year’s cohort for the Artists Imagination Fund with her fresh children’s theatre production called ‘The Magic Stick’ which will hopefully tour in 2024.

However, while we wait for ‘The Magic Stick’, you can experience a stunning blend of both real and virtual environments in ‘The Dancing Elephant’ which is also by Ria, and is on tour now!

Imagine being transported into a mystical video game and wondering if you will be locked in it forever! Join Mahi who’s transported into a video game, by magical Moon, Chand. Mahi lands at the Elephant Festival of Jaipur and meets her companion and guide, The Dancing Elephant.

Together they must unlock three levels of Chand’s mystical video game for Mahi to return home. Will they achieve this, or will Mahi be locked in the game forever? The storytelling is enhanced with sand art animation to represent mother earth, the Elephant Festival of Jaipur and back projection for the Holi festival.

Ria is a trained Indian classical dancer. Her artistic interests lie in creating Indian-inspired yet contemporary projects, making them accessible to a wider audience, often with a hint of technology and exciting, engaging, ways of presenting new work.

“I am simply overjoyed to have received the Artist Imagination Fund. This support is integral for the development of both myself, as an artist, the company, Ri Ri’s Dance Academy, and for the development of the storyline for this Indian-inspired children’s theatre production” – Ria Meera Munshi, Artistic Director for Ri Ri’s Dance Academy.

The Dancing Elephant suitable for ages 6-13 years old and is on tour and can be see at several of our member venues, book tickets here.

• Produced by Rushi Munshi (Ri Ri’s Dance Academy)
• Concept by Ria Meera Munshi
• Co-written by Ria Meera Munshi & Stephanie Kemp
• Directed by Ria Meera Munshi
• Funded by Arts Council England