Drama time: An excellent calendar of plays
Editor’s note: Mark Haddon’s delightful story is now set in Bandra with immersive 3D screens. Virtual reality comes back on stage through ‘The Nether’. A popular Broadway musical makes its Indian debut, and a young performer has a climate crisis survival plan. These ten plays (plus, a picnic)—featuring tales of totalitarianism and tenderness—will make you skip the screen for the stage. FYI: This is a calendar for January, February and March.
Written by: Prachi Sibal, Advisory Editor
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Based on the endearing novel of the same name by Mark Haddon, Christopher Boone’s life unfolds in suburban Mumbai instead of suburban London. The bright teenage neurodivergent boy sets out to investigate the murder of a dog in his neighbourhood. While at it, he takes a journey, in this case on a local train, to confront the truth about his life and family.
Prachi’s take: The production uses 3D technology and projections to immerse you in Christopher’s world and enable you to experience the surroundings the way he does. It also features powerful performances by the cast, especially by Dheer Hira as Christopher.
Where to watch it: On January 11 and 12, at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi, and January 24 and 25, St John’s Auditorium, Bangalore. Tickets on Insider.
Talking Duds
Have trouble keeping up with the social media generation? In this return to the old world, Masquerade Theatre’s 50-minute performance of short plays promises to evoke the simple pleasure of wandering in a park. There’s the man who couldn’t bury his grandfather because he didn’t come in a standard-sized coffin and other such humorous tales.
Prachi’s take: Director Krishna Kumar S, has been a driving force in the city’s theatre landscape. His grasp of the short format and humour, will bring out a few, if not many laughs.
Where to watch it: On January 11, at Shreya Nagarajan Singh (SNS) Arts Development Consultancy, Chennai, and on January 12 at Isai – The Art Café, Chennai. Tickets on Allevents.
Vhay, I am Savitribai Phule
Written and directed by Sushama Deshpande, the play tells the incredible story of Savitribai Phule, an activist and social reformer. From her early days to her marriage with Jyotirao Phule, on to the establishment of the Satyashodhak Samaj, it recounts her commitment to the mission of caste and gender equality.
Prachi’s take: The play is essential viewing to understand Phule’s contributions embedded in the social context of the time. Nandita Patkar turns in a performance that you won’t forget.
Where to watch it: On January 11, at PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy and on March 8, at Godrej Dance Theatre, NCPA. Tickets on Bookmyshow.
Project Darling
Khanavali Chenni, an iconic character of the Kannada stage, was best known for her innuendos. In Project Darling, a group of performers set out in search of Chenni. While at it, they meet other performers from the Kannada stage, and out, come their stories. A culmination of director Sharanya Ramprakash’s research project examines female sexuality and censorship, while also enabling Kannada performers from Rangbhoomi to rewrite their history.
Prachi’s take: Sharanya Ramprakash has previously directed performances like ‘Akshayambara’ and ‘Nava'. She has the innate ability to juxtapose personal histories with social context, all with a dash of humour.
Where to watch it: On January 17, at Ranga Shankara, Bangalore. Tickets on Bookmyshow.
Nidravathwam
In Auroville-based Adishakti’s signature style, comes another tale from the epics. Written, directed, and performed by Nimmy Raphel, ‘Nidravathwam', tells the story of Kumbakarana and Lakshmana, both battling their boons of perpetual sleep and wakefulness. While Kumbakarana’s wish is accidental, Lakshmana cedes his sleep to his wife, Urmila.
Prachi’s take: Nimmy Raphel’s physical embodiment of Kumbakarana’s predicament, is both exacting and lyrical. With minimal dialogue and music, the play is as enjoyable as it is thought-provoking.
Where to watch it: On January 18, at Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai. Tickets on Bookmyshow.
The Nether
Based on the award-winning play by Jennifer Haley, Pune-based Aasakta Kalamanch’s Mohit Takalkar brings ‘The Nether ', a unique sci-fi thriller alive on stage. Virtual reality has evolved and people can live out some of their darkest imaginations. There are various realms, and The Hideaway is one of them, with a dark secret of its own. Detective Morris sets out to investigate this realm and returns with disturbing secrets.
Prachi’s take: The Nether is a layered, complex play with some great performances. But it is the design, of the stage within a stage, and the use of textures through lighting and sound that will stay with you.
Where to watch it: On January 24 and 25, at Ranga Shankara, Bangalore. Tickets on Bookmyshow.
The Lesson
Written in post-war Europe, this classic one-act play by Eugene Ionesco was first performed in 1951. Directed by Sukant Goel, it tells the story of the indoctrination of a young student at the hands of a professor. She comes for a lesson, and as it progresses, the professor becomes aggressive to the point of turning murderous.
Prachi’s take: Performed by Sukant Goel, Kalliroi Tziafeta, and Vedika Sai, it examines totalitarianism through the power dynamic between the student and teacher. It remains relevant to this day.
Where to watch it: On January 26, at Harkat Studios, Mumbai. Tickets on Insider.
Plan B/C/D/E
Like most of us, performer Meghana AT is deeply concerned about the climate crisis, which is threatening our lives and cities. Except, she won’t take it lying down. She has a plan, and she will share it with the audience in this interactive solo performance. What’s more? The audience gets to be a part of developing what she calls a ‘water-tight’ plan. After all, Mumbai may be underwater by 2050.
Prachi’s take: Climate anxiety, despite its urgency, rarely finds mention in theatre. Meghana AT is a gifted performer and talks about concerns that are all too real, in a rather entertaining format.
Where to watch it: On February 1, at Tata Garden, NCPA, Mumbai. Tickets on Bookmyshow.
Sarenta
The solo piece, directed by Bhagyashree Tarke and performed by Gagan Dev Riar, draws from the actor’s life to tell the fictional story of Sarweshwar (Sarve), and his struggle with alcoholism. A waiter at a bar, Sarve is as observant as he is efficient. He loses his job, and recounts the many misfortunes of his life, with a touch of humour.
Prachi’s take: Gagan Dev Riar delivers a gut-wrenching performance through the 60-minute runtime. He sings, dances, sobs, and plays a market scene with its sounds all by himself.
Where to watch it: On February 8, at The Cube, NMACC, Mumbai. Tickets on Bookmyshow.
The Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famed musical hardly needs an introduction. The good news is that it is making its debut in India, nearly 40 years after its premiere on London’s West End. Based on Gaston Leroux’s French novel, ‘Le Fantôme de L’Opéra’, it tells the story of a masked entity at the Paris Opera House, who falls in love with a soprano, and will go to great lengths to watch her succeed. Things take a turn when a friend visits.
Prachi’s take: The musical is known for its larger-than-life sets, costumes, and depiction of Gothic elements from the period. It also has a soundtrack that you won’t stop humming.
Where to watch it: On March 5 to March 30, at The Grand Theatre, NMACC, Mumbai. Tickets on Bookmyshow.
And a bonus…
Picnic with Playwrights
In this new venture by Bhasha Centre, on one Saturday every month, two playwrights come together for an un-moderated conversation, aided by some music. In the second edition, Mahesh Dattani will speak to Poile Sengupta with Kaizad Gherda’s melodies in the backdrop. They’ll talk about their work and share favourites from books, poems, and plays they’ve read. Plus, it’s set in a garden with picnic essentials— fruit baskets, tablecloths, sandwiches, and the works!
Where to watch it: On January 18, at Tata Garden, NCPA, Mumbai. Tickets on Bookmyshow.
