news | Friday January 31, 2025

Behind the Moon Is Here!

A brand new play by the award-winning playwright and novelist Anosh Irani has arrived! Behind the Moon is a story of love and loss, freedom and faith, the meaning of brotherhood, and how we begin a new life. In a Mughlai restaurant in Toronto, a late-night visit from a mysterious stranger rattles the cage and shatters the peace. Now the restaurant’s employee Ayub must face reality, the family he’s left behind, and the dreams he’s abandoned, all while keeping the restaurant shiningly clean.

An excerpt from Behind the Moon:

“AYUB: The register’s closed for the day.

JALAL: You take it then.

AYUB: It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.

JALAL: No, no, that’s not right. Please, I want to –

AYUB: I insist. It’s a gift. One dead chicken. Smeared in butter. Way
past the best-before date.

JALAL: I really appreciate it.

AYUB: It’s okay.

JALAL: My name is Jalal.

JALAL offers his hand. AYUB shakes it. But does not

introduce himself.

And you are …

AYUB: Late. I’m late. I have to go.

….

JALAL: I’m really sorry. But I have to ask.

AYUB: Ask what?

JALAL: Why did you give me the food?

AYUB: You said it was an emergency.

JALAL: I’m not sure if you believed me.

AYUB: Does it matter?

JALAL: I would be grateful if you told me.

AYUB: Fine. I gave you the food because you passed the test.

JALAL: Test? What test?

AYUB: You did not touch the glass. When you chose your food,
you did not touch the glass.”

With stage productions running in Victoria and Vancouver this season, Behind the Moon is not to be missed. Pick up your copy here.