A masterpiece in the making

I have not been able to update my blog for a long time. Just got busy with a lot of stuff. However, recently I got the opportunity to see rehearsals of a play being directed by none other than Theatre Veteran Avijit Dutt. Getting behind the scenes of a theatre pro’s brand new theatre production was an opportunity I was not gonna miss. The creation process of a genius masterpiece would be as interesting as the masterpiece itself, if not more. So, let’s get down to business.

Artwork by Sonamm Sharma of Sozart Creative

The rehearsals was on first floor of an office. The owners of the office were generous enough to let the team rehearse there. This office wasn’t filled with ‘modern’ soul sucking cubicles but had and old school feel to it – wooden floors, beautiful desks and tables and a hangar to hang your coat – now if that is not a touch of class, I do not know what is. I had arrived a little early and only Mr. Avijit Dutt was there. I introduced myself and it was a great feeling just sitting next to such a theatre great – just the two of us in the room. I could feel the aura of creativity around him. Soon members of the cast started pouring in with gentle greetings. Everyone realised that Mr Dutt didn’t seem in best of his health and he in fact was running high temperature. But that did not vaporize his spirit or flow of creativity. I do now know where people draw their energies from. 

Avijit Dutt - Writer and Director of the Play

Most of the people I work with (who are probably third the age of Mr Dutt) take a day off just because a mosquito bit them in the morning. Soon, everyone was busy reading through the script. I have been in several situations like this – a team working together in a conference room and discussing a ‘project’. But other than the conference table, nothing was similar. Corporate board rooms are where insomniacs got to get treated. However, on this table, juices of creativity were flowing. Play is scripted by Mr Dutt and I realised that he constantly improves upon the play. Parts of scripts we re-written, scenes are re-designed to intensity the story telling. Actors learn their new lines quickly and get cracking. 

Theatre Exercises

Before they start, the actors indulge in team exercises. Not only does it work as a physical stretching of muscles, it also brings the actors in an unison. 

How the hell do we get out of this? 

Every scene was being carefully observed by the director. Some scenes came out perfectly while others were re-enacted until perfection was attained. As scenes were being enacted, rest of the actors immersed themselves in the script, byhearting their lines. Rehearsals happen almost everyday for weeks on end to attain perfection. Theatre is not a high paying (actually it pays almost nothing) profession, so make ends meet most actors have day jobs. It's not easy to manage daily rehearsals with a job and family. That is why I really appreciate these actors who come togther for pure passion of the stage. 

 “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the Axe”

Abraham Lincoln

In case of theatre production, the team spends 5 hours and 59 minutes sharpening the axe and finally shop it down in a minute on stage. It a great experience seeing the axe being sharpened. Now just want to see the Axe in action.

The play is being staged on April 9^th at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre. Be there. This is going to be epic.

About Noor Jahan – An Empress Reveals

Actor Oroon Das as Jehangir

This 1 hours 20 min play tell the story of Noor Jahan (born Mehrunissa). She was not only the Empress of India but was an accomplished poetess, designer and an architect. The play takes you through her youth, her deep love for Jehangir, her being widowed, becoming 20^th wife of Jehangir and then becoming a captive on orders of her husband. Her life broke several shackles of the society as she was above 30, had a daughter but still became the favorite and most influential wife of Jehangir. Trials and Tribulations of Noor Jahan are captured in this play and it’s a must watch.    

Writer/ Director: Avijit Dutt

Cast: Vidushi Mehra, Oroon Das, Vani Vyas, Yuvraj Singh Bajwa, Anhad Singh Anand, Rea Krishna, Priyanka Sharma, Eesha Singh, Sarthak Mattoo & Shekhar Murugan.

Tickets

You can buy tickets here: Buy Tickets for NoorJahan: an Empress Reveals

About Yatrik Cultural & Dramatics Society

It was founded in 1964 with the sole purpose to project arts as a dynamic living force, provide regular sustained performances of theatre, music and dance, build an interesting theatre audience  by presenting some of the best plays, and establish a theatre club and organize workshops to nurture new talent 

Some Pictures from the Rehearsals

Mehrunnisa's Dilemma. 

Actor Vidushi Mehra Plays Noorjahan and goes through variety of Emotions. 

The Love between Jehangir and Noorjahan is legendary

Noorjahan's Daughter played by Eesha Singh

Play Review “Bumboo: The Play” by Epic Shit Entertainment

What happens when two out of luck depressed beings, get kidnapped by a gay drug lord and two drug dealers? Epic Shit happens. “Bumboo: The Play” is the third installment of “The Bad Deeds Trilogy” by Epic Shit Entertainment. This is one of those no-holds barred play which makes you laugh with “Oh no, you just did not say that” going in your head.  It starts with three very different, unrelated stories involving some interesting and peculiar characters and then all these characters come together while despising and 'loving' each other. Every character is peculiar and well laid out. The act opens with a monologue by Tara, played by Sukhmani Lamba. Tara is an unemployed and potty mouthed woman whose language and attitude can send the toughest of men packing home. Tara is has created a strong exterior to hide her insecurities. Then comes the story of a timid, socially awkward highly under confident Kashish Panda, played by Farhad Colabvala, telling his story. The scene then switches to shadow play between two people. They are ‘Delhi Gangsters’ and cocaine dealers. The gang comprises of helpless Aslam, drug lord and tyrant Ganesh and funnyman Puchi. Aslam, played by Rahul Tewari would’ve probably been the guy next door who is stuck in a forced relationship with his boss, Ganesh. Puchi, played by Gopal Verma likes to see the glass as half full.

Strength of the play lies in performances of each actor. Farhad and Gopal steal the show with their facial expressions doing most of the talking. It’s a situational comedy which is very physical and loud. If you are someone who raises objection over ‘obscenity in cinema’, stay away from the play. 

The Director has used shadow play for showing 'sex scenes'. Do not expect them to be 'flowers kissing' we are used to in old hindi movies. Must give credit to writer and director Madhav Mehta for a fast paced, unapologetic play which entertains all through. 

Do watch this play when it's next in town. Needless to say, do not take kids. 

Cast and Crew

Kashish Panda –Farhad “Kingbawa” Colabvala

Tara Khosla – Sukhmani “Sookhi” Lamba

Ganesh – Akash “The Axe Man” Mehta

Aslam – Rahul “G-Faadu” Tewari

Puchi – Gopal “The Scrotal Assassin” Verma

Written and Directed by – Madhav Mehta

Story by – Rakesh “Smackie” Palisetty and Madhav Mehta

Inspired by – Christopher Durang’s ‘Laughing Wild’ & Larry Shue’s ‘The Foreigner’

Sound and Music – Ritwik “Jaan Lemon” De

Play Review: Kathgodam Express by Behroopiya Entertainers

A guy on the run from the law for a crime he did not commit. This sounds like a very common plot. This is the theme of the play “Kathogodam Express” which is based on “39 Steps” and English classical movies hailed as one of the best Hollywood has ever produced. Theatre is just not about the story, it’s about how it is presented. The play is about Hari, an event manager, accidentally framed for murder, becomes a fugitive running from the long arm of the law. As he unravels, global conspiracies are exposed, and hidden truths of modern existence revealed. What differentiates this play from others is the fast pace, the multiple roles played by a single actor. Karan Mann did a brilliant job playing very different characters which were different not just in the role they were playing but the body language, dialect and personality. He switched between the various characters brilliantly keeping the audiences in splits in all his roles. Ritu Mago as the ‘spy who gets killed’ plays her role as spy-seductress with aplomb. Udit Ohri, playing the protagonist did a good job but the fast pace and quick changes between scenes did not allow for long scenes which really bring out the best in an actor. The entire team did a good job in switching between the scenes and sets though I wish they could’ve reduced the number of acts by combining them. It gets a little overwhelming. You will be laughing through several scenes but some acts could’ve been better script wise.  One message we get at the end of the play is that it is made from the heart to bring awareness for autism.

Written and Directed By : Shivani Singh

Produced By: Mudita Sharma Mehta, Rishi Mehta for Behroopiya Entertainers.

Cast : Nancy Arora, Ritu Mago, Gurinder Singh, Udit Ohri, Sonu Sonkar, Karan Maan, Deepak Yadav, Ritesh Kumar Vdy, Amit Verma

Play Review: SHE by Curtail Call Productions & Events and Behroopiya Entertainers

Plight of women in our society is well known. Some are the cause of it, some accept it exists, many have accepted it and very few want to change it.

 “She” is an original play which is a compilation of monologues surrounding current women’s issues. The script is fresh and written by Debontika Das. The script is the strength of the play. The monologues create a surreal experience about real problems women face these days – rapes, domestic violence and honor killings. With classical and contemporary symphonies, the audiences are taken through the journey of pain a woman goes through when she becomes target of crimes. I had goose bumps as soon as the play started with three figures – dressed what seemed like angels of death came on stage. Wounded angels, wounded as much by an indifferent, judgmental society as by the criminals who changed their entire life. Sonamm Sharma, whom I have seen in “Medea” proves her mettle as an actress portraying a strong character with strong dialogue delivery and loud body gestures. You can feel the anger deep within the character. Then comes Shibani Bedi, whom I have seen in “No experience in theatre required”, as a helpless victim of domestic violence. She creates real scenes with just her dialogues and you can feel the scenes of injustice happening in front of your eyes created by her monologue and dramatic actions performed in the background by the other two actresses. One could see the helplessness in her eyes and her body. Then comes Aarti Nayar, victim of another evil of our society – “Honor killings” – where hate overpowers love and society’s obsession with their idea of right clouds all logic. She did a great job but I wish the role was given a little bit more time for the character to develop and the problem to be highlighted. Overall, the three main elements, which make for a great play, come together –  direction, script and the acting.

I personally feel that while lots of people are talking about the problem faced by women, very few offer a solution. Neither does this play. I wish the characters, could talk about what changes need to be brought into the society to reduce such incidents of crime against women. It is a pretty intense play. Not for your light hearted evening out with family.

Presented by: CurtainCall Productions and Events. and Behroopiya Entertainers

Conceptualised by: White Noise Productions

Written & Directed by: Pallav S Chander & Debontika Das

Production: Vishesh Arora 

Cast
Aarti Nayar
Sonamm Sharma
Shibani Bedi

Play Review: No Experience of theatre required by Turquoise Palette

A motivational speaker once said “Never let inexperience get in way of your ambition”. While it makes a lot of sense and is motivating but it can spell disaster in wrong hands. The play depicts such a disaster perfectly.  The result of having an inexperienced, overconfident director putting up a play with self absorbed and eccentric nincompoop of a cast will drive audiences to the limit of their patience and have them demand refund. Do not worry, I am not talking about this play but about the play within this play. Confused? I did not demand my money back because I could barely stop laughing through the entire play. The play takes you through the process and the end result of couple of crazy people, with IQ as low as our economic growth rate, coming together and trying and create a theatrical masterpiece. The play begins with the said play being performed in front of the audience but then suddenly everyone starts to improvise resulting in a classical greek tragedy looking like comedy of errors. The entire cast has fit to their role like a well fitted glove but the play belongs to Shibani Bedi – the recovered (or has she) mentally unstable Punjabi girl who brings her Punjabi flavor to Medea’s role. There were moments when she sent the audience in splits even with her mere body language without even saying a word.

The Akshara theatre was a perfect setting for the play as there is no dead spot in the stage at anytime. Actors keep performing their acts in the background with as much zest as the performer in focus. The small stage helped audience capture all that is going on the stage. Not only was the script hilarious, the delivery by every actor was spot on. Adhiraj Sharma needs a special mention too playing an over-confident, self absorbed, inexperienced, talentless actor. All characters get into character to get out of it. Arun Prakash delivers a phenomenal performance as the inexperienced Director, whose English would make the Queen laugh rather than feel offended.

What makes the play ironic is the fact that it is actually the first play written, directed and music composed by Pallav Chander and newly formed Turquoise Palette. Let’s see what other colors this palette has. However, while this might be the first time he wore director’s shoes, he is no newbie to the theatre scene and it shows with the attention to detail and the engaging screenplay.

I highly recommend this play. It was by close friend’s birthday and I took him there and he said it is the best birthday he could’ve had. So, do catch it the next time. Don’t miss it. I won’t.

Production By: Turquoise Palette

Written, Directed and Music By: Pallav Chander

Lights by: Vinimay

Cast:

Director: Arun Prakash

Hades: Adhiraj Sharma

Aphrodite: Shibani Bedi

Zeus: Shekhar Murugan

Psoidon: Nand Chopra

Dancer: Shivani Nagar

Let Zip: Varoon P Anand

Choreographer: Dimple Kaur

Guruji: Harish

Veteran Guest: Sarthak Mattoo

Assistant: Subhashani/ Debontika

Play Review: Curious Case of Mr Kolpert

Boredom is the root of all evil - the despairing refusal to be oneself.

Soren Kierkegaard

Does boredom lead people to do crazy things? To what extent will people go to kill their boredom? Kill? It has been while since I have seen a black comedy. While I do enjoy a light, simple comedy after a hectic week at work, sometimes one needs to get out of comfort zone. As much as I enjoy movies like “There is something about Mary”, comes a Pulp fiction which throws every rule in the book out of the door.  If this play is a bench mark, Ishwar Shunya is to theatre what Quentin Tarantino is to movies. As soon as the play opens with focus on Ralf Shroff (played by Adhiraj Katoch), we knew this is going to be one unsettling play. A couple has invited another couple for dinner. Sounds simple, right? What if the couples were Vincent Vega/ Catherine Tarnell and Jules Winnfield/ Mia Wallace. If these names elude you, Google “Basic Instinct” and “Pulp Fiction” – just make sure no kids are around when you do that. Ralf is a chaos researcher who creates a chaotic situation by informing the invited couple that they have killed Mr Kolpert and have put his body in the trunk. This does not go well with physically violent Joy Bastian (Tushar Dhaudiyal) and he is curious. Where is the knocking sound coming from? Is it the trunk? At the same time his wife Edith (Kriti Vij) is unperturbed. She would rather snort rather than be sore - though Mr. Kolpert is her senior at work. Sarah (Shibani Bedi) is absolutely indifferent to what is happening. Adhiraj Katoch steals the show playing an insane but strangely in-control Ralf. He was so convincing in his performance that if I was to see this guy in real life, I will be scared. Performances by the entire cast keep you on edge of the seat throughout the play. You Though the theme is dark, the play is not dull. Dollops of humor add a strange but delectable taste to the dark chocolate.

Did they really try to kill Mr Kolpert?  Is he alive? Who is more likely to be a killer – an ever laughing person or a constantly angry, violent person? Will the much needed pizzas finally arrive in the right order? Go and watch the play if you need to know the answers. Needless to say, do not take children.

About the play:

Language: English

Theatre Group: Saanjha Sapnaa

Director: Ishwar Shunya

Written by: Davis Gielselmann

Music by: Sonam Sharma

Lights by: Ishwar Shunya

Props and set by:Saanjha Sapnaa

Poster/brochure by: Kanchan Ujjal

Cast:

Adhiraj Katoch – Ralf Shroff

Shibani Bedi – Sarah Pinto

Tushar Dhaudiyal – Joy Bastian

Kriti Vij – Edith

Manik Papneja – The Pizza Man

Review- Ishq da Syappa, Daughter In-law Weds Papa and Hi Punj (Stand up comedy)

Some say a miser is a capitalist gone mad. Behroopiya Entertainers have adopted the Moilerer's 'The Miser' into Punjabi (adaptation by which tells the story of a miser old man who wants to get his daughter and son married but not before he gets married himself to none other than his son's sweetheart. 

Lalaji (Sahil Kapoor), has large amounts of money stashed away in 'Gold Coins' but is constantly looking to save money and make more. So he wants wants his daughter Billo (Nancy Rustagi) to get married to a rich old man because he will not have to give 'dowry' but has no qualms in expecting dowry for his son Jassi's (Mudit Malik) and his own marriage. The daughter is very much in love with a guy who saved her life and the guy is now a loyal brown nosed servant Sukhi (played by Himanshu Mahajan) to Lalaji to win his heart and approval. The other loud mouthed, sarcastic servant Nambu (played by Pranav Midha) leaves no opportunity to tease lalaji. 

I felt a little disappointed as I had great expectations - having seen 'Run for your wife' (another production by Behroopiya). I was hoping to be rolling on the floor but most scenes, expect for scenes featuring Lalaji and Nambu were flat. Another character which tickles the funny bone is the character of Kuljeet bua (Nancy Arora) who can sweet talk people into doing what she wants. Jassi ended up shouting through most of his stage time. Punjabi language is energetic, expressive and funny on its own but script was a little let down. The play allowed for several comic situations but the opportunity was not fully utilised. While "Run for your wife" was a constant twisting and turning race track, this one was more of a straight highway with some sharp turns of fun. The play hit a low in the end when all the fun and laughter just fizzled out. Mrinal Dhar's direction was good but it was mostly the script which was a let down. 

After a short break, the stand up act 'Hi-Punj' was opened by Nancy Rustagi with a small but original and entertaining act. Sahil Kapoor and Pranav Midha presented the main standup act. There were some original pieces and the pair delivered them pretty well. However, several jokes were old and that is not what I expected. Stand up acts should be original. They pair has tremendous potential and if they get the script right, they can do wonders. I think Nancy too has great potential as a stand up comic and I would love to see more women doing stand up comedy. 

Plays in Delhi - June 16 and June 17 Weekend

Here is a list of Plays happening in Delhi on over the Weekend

Date: June 16 2012

Play: Ishq Da Syaapa.. Daughter-In-Law Weds Papa

Play By: Do now know!
Venue: Alliance Francaise de Delhi, 72, Lodhi Estate , Lodhi Road , Delhi
Time: 06:30 PM
About the play: Directed by: Vineet Chopra
Play is in Punjabi. So if you thought that 'gal' is just a slang for girl, you might struggle to understand this play. 
The Punjabi version of the world famous comedy The Miser by French playwright Moleire. Lala Kirori Mal is a very cautious, distrustful miser who is always looking at how to save every single penny. Everything turns chaotic when Lala falls in love with a young girl Preeto and declares to his family that he is going to marry her.

Date: June 16 2012 and June 17 2012 (Both Days)

Play: Blood Wedding

Play By: NSD Summer Theatre Festival
Venue:  National School of Drama, Bahawalpur House, 1 Bhagwandas Road, New Delhi
Time: 06:30 PM
About the play: Directed by Neelam Man Singh Chowdhary

Play: Mohan Das

Play By: Shri Ram Centre Repertory Company presents, Summer Weekend Theatre festival
Venue:  Shri Ram Centre,  # 4, Safdar Hashmi Marg, New Delhi 
Time: 06:30 PM
About the play:  Directed by : Uday Prakash

Play: Log Baag

Play By:Asmita Theatre Group (Asmita Theatre Summer Festival)
Venue:Amphitheatre, IHC, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
Time: 07:30 PM
About the Play: 'Log Baag' (A comic Satire play). Play Based on Stories by Anton Chekhov. Directed by Arvind Gaur. Written by Neil Simon.

Play: Baghdad Wedding

Play By: Play. Dir. Akarsh Khurana Prod. Akvarious Productions
Venue: Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurgaon

Time: 07:30 PM
About the Play: Hassan Abdulrazzak's first play not only covers an enormous amount of territory, it also reminds us of the infinite human contradictions within any nation. From cosmopolitan London to the chaos of war-ravaged Baghdad, this is the tale of three friends, torn between two worlds, which grapple with their cultural, political and sexual identities. And of one wedding that goes horribly wrong. Featuring Nimrat Kaur, Karan Pandit and Faisal Rashid with Adhir Bhat, Hussain Dalal, Sarang Sathaye, Sumeet Vyas and others.




 

Delhi Play Schedule. May 26 and May 27

Thanks to summers there are several plays happening in Delhi over the weekend and beyond. Keeping up with my promise to bring to you the latest in Delhi theatre circuit, I am presenting the schedule of plays of your reference. Feel free to share it with your friends and family

Delhi Play Schedule for May 26 and May 27

Theatre for Change, Theatre for Society - Weekend Theatre Workshop by Asmita

Asmita Theatre Group organizes summer theatre workshop for all age groups on weekends. Its called - Theatre for Change, Theatre for Society (TCTS) as their aim is to promote theatre as a platform for creating awareness about social issues. I have been a theater lover for a long time, but TCTS was my first connection with a large set of theatre lovers, artists and experienced actors. Not only did I learn some important techniques and movements as the first step to learning acting, I performed, for the first time, in front of live audience in the form of a street play. I also made loads of friends with common interest in the field. 

I would strongly recommend people who have any inclination towards acting, theatre or learning a new skill to participate in this workshop. This workshop is organised keeping in mind school students, college students and working professionals - hence the weekend timings in summers. This is a free workshop so you cannot use the "Funds Issue" as an excuse for this. 

Not only will you learn something new, you will have a great time,  and make good friends. I am not sure if I will be able to join this time but would definitely try. 

This workshop coincides with  Asmita's Summer Theatre Festival and the TCTS students are given a chance to prepare short street plays during the workshop (and after) to perform in front of live audience, just before the play.

Link to FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/356214837774672/

Details:

Event: Summer Theatre Workshop by Asmita - Theatre for Change, Theatre for Society

Dates: 

Starting: May 19 at 9:00am 

Ending: July 8 at 1:00pm

Basically, every Saturday and Sunday at 09:00 AM starting May19th until July 8th. 

What to Carry: Positive Attitude, loads of energy, food (for your friends) and lots and lots of water.

Welcome to "Theatre in Delhi"

I would like to welcome all to this new blog about Theatre scene in Delhi NCR. Unlike a few years ago, a lot of theatre is happening in Delhi and theatre lovers have never had it so good. Through this blog, readers can read about plays happening in Delhi, information about theatre groups, information about theatre classes, reviews of various plays and everything to bring you up to speed about theatre scene in Delhi. I am neither an actor not associated with any particular theatre group but just a theatre lover.
I strongly believe that not only does theatre provide intellectual stimulation compared to watching idiot box, it is also a healthy and potent medium to bring forth issues in society and have people start thinking about them.

I would request theatre groups and event companies holding plays in Delhi NCR to please send me an email informing me about the upcoming events which will be duly shared here. I will also be inviting other theatre lovers to share their reviews about plays they have watched. Their review would be duly shared with due credits.