Who would have thought that a shoemaker and a cook could ever combine to form the storyline for a play. Well that is the interesting premise for a new piece of theatre that is said to provide audiences with a mystical tale of loss, love and soul food. Chopping Chillies is the creation of writer and performer
Clair Whitefield, and it is coming to the Lichfield Garrick theatre on Saturday 18 February ahead of several other dates so far confirmed around the country.

Chopping Chillies tells the tale of a cook and a cobbler
The production, which was initially performed at last year's Edinburgh Festival, is brought to the stage by
Theatre Tours International, an Olivier Award winning touring theatre company formed in 2000 and led by Artistic Director
Guy Masterson, who actually directs Chopping Chillies. The play, which forms part of Lichfield Garrick's Introducing Theatre series, connects Kerala to Camden as it tells the story of a cobbler and a cook, Katie and Ajna, from different continents and cultures. Clair, who has been writing and performing poetry for more than a decade, apparently drew inspiration for the story while waiting for her shoes to be heeled at a cobblers in Camden. What she ended up with was a poetic tale about a magical cobbler that aims to combine the spirit of India with the heart of London.

Olivier Award winning director Guy Masterson
Theatre Tours International is dedicated to developing and sustaining small to mid-scale touring theatre both in the UK and around the world, and to develop new theatre audiences through association with some of the UK's most innovative young talent. Since its creation it has become the most highly visible independent theatre company at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has also gone on to produce award-winning West End hits such as
Morecambe, which gained the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Entertainment in 2010.

Chopping Chillies is written and performed by Clair Whitefield
Chopping Chillies will be performed at the
Lichfield Garrick on Saturday 18 February at 7.45pm. Tickets priced £12 for adults and £10 students are available online or from the Box Office on 01543 412121.
UK Tour Dates
February 18 Lichfield Garrick 01543 412121
February 24 Riverhouse Barn, Walton-on-Thames 01932 253354
March 3 Cranleigh AC, Cranleigh 01483 278000
March 10 Uppingham Theatre Rutland 01572 820820
March 24 Electric Theatre Guildford 01483 444789
May 19 Old Town Hall Hemel Hempstead 01442 228091
May 20 The Quay at Sudbury Theatre 01787 374745