Dear Drama lover,
September is here and so are the rains it would seem! The Ganpati drums have subsided but it looks like they have given birth to an army of new plays that are debuting over the next few months. For more details on all the new happenings take a peek into our 4 Corners section.
This month also sees the return of some old favourites. Feroz Abbas Khan makes a return with his brilliant 'Salesman Ramlal' and hilarious 'All the Best', while Akvarious, easily the most prolific theatre company in Bombay is back with 'All About Women', and Rage returns with a bouquet of their work.
September promises to be a roller coaster for us at QTP. We open a new play, our second this year. Some Girl(s), directed by Nadir Khan, premieres on the 26th & 27th of September at the NCPA Experimental. We hope to see you there.
In Thespo land things are hotting up with the last date for play registrations for Thespo 11 being the 10th of September.
Here's what we are carrying in this month's edition of The Script. Click on any of them or navigate your way through the links on the right.
Trivia Time: Something magical happened at Prithvi Theatre this month.
QTP's New Play: All the details on Some Girl(s).
Thespo at Prithvi: A round up of September and what to look forward to in November.
Thespo 11: How you can get involved in India's most exciting theatre festival.
Great Texts: What are we going to read next month?
Point of View: Dolly Thakore reviews Divya Palat's A Personal War, that just returned from the Edinburgh Fringe.
4 Corners: Himanshu Sitlani tells you what to look forward to on the Bombay theatre scene in the next few months.
AK's Various Thoughts: Thespo memories, Swine Flew and other random thoughts from Akarsh's brain.
Up & Coming: Complete schedule of what to catch in September.
Great Stuff: Workshops, playwright's conference and more.
Curtain Call: Mary Pickford tells us what the purpose of theatre is.
Thank You,
Yours Sincerely,
On Behalf of Q Theatre Productions,
Himanshu.
Editor, The Script.
Trivia Time
The Show Must Go On
On a muggy 2nd September, Confessions is playing as part of Thespo at Prithvi. Most of the play is a writer is being interrogated for the nature of his stories. Usually a dark comedy, but on this night, even darker!
Midway through the second act Juhu suffers a complete power cut. The entire area is engulfed in darkness. On stage there is utter silence. Backstage there is panic.
But before anyone can step out and apologise for the interruption, Katurian (Divyang Thakkar) asks his interrogator (Kashin Shetty), "Do you want me to continue?"
Pat comes Kashin's reply, "This may take a while. It happens here often."
And the play continued.
On a muggy 2nd September, Confessions is playing as part of Thespo at Prithvi. Most of the play is a writer is being interrogated for the nature of his stories. Usually a dark comedy, but on this night, even darker!
Midway through the second act Juhu suffers a complete power cut. The entire area is engulfed in darkness. On stage there is utter silence. Backstage there is panic.
But before anyone can step out and apologise for the interruption, Katurian (Divyang Thakkar) asks his interrogator (Kashin Shetty), "Do you want me to continue?"
Pat comes Kashin's reply, "This may take a while. It happens here often."
And the play continued.
The audience first thought this was part of the play, and then sensing the problem, one of them switched on a torch and lit the actors from the first row. Soon others followed, and the play continued for the duration of the black out lit by the audience and their mobile phones. Truly a magic moment, where the audience actively were part of the performance.
For once no one asked the audience to switch off their mobile phones!!!!
For once no one asked the audience to switch off their mobile phones!!!!
Some Girl(s) - New QTP Play!!
Hot on the heels of the successful Project S.T.R.I.P, we are back with our second brand new play of the year!
Some Girl(s) is a sideways look at the typical, somewhat lost young man of today. A man, on the verge of getting married, sets off on a journey across India to meet his ex-girlfriends as a sort of penance. To bring closure to relationships he might have ruined. Is he just visiting ex girlfriends? Or is he looking for the one that got away? Or is there more than meets the eye?
Written by Neil LaBute
Adapted by Akarsh Khurana
Directed by Nadir Khan
The play marks the stage debut of Channel [V] VJ Juhi Pande and RJ, TV & Film Actress Tarana Raja Kapoor; who join hands with theatre regulars Shivani Tanksale, Radhika Mital and Mukul Chaddha. Join them on this humorous ride of soul searching, name calling and apologies.
Some Girl(s) is a sideways look at the typical, somewhat lost young man of today. A man, on the verge of getting married, sets off on a journey across India to meet his ex-girlfriends as a sort of penance. To bring closure to relationships he might have ruined. Is he just visiting ex girlfriends? Or is he looking for the one that got away? Or is there more than meets the eye?
Written by Neil LaBute
Adapted by Akarsh Khurana
Directed by Nadir Khan
For more details call 26392688 or email: qtheatreproductions@gmail.com
To book tickets call on 39895050 or log on to: www.bookmyshow.com
Our show dates are:
26th September at 7pm and
27th September at 6:30pm
at NCPA Experimental.
Thespo at Prithvi - Plays & Workshops
Thespo at Prithvi was started in 2007 to provide a more regular showcasing of the best youth theatre talent in the country. Thus every first Tuesday and Wednesday each month, the next generation of theatre wallahs stride across the hallowed Prithvi stage.
Thespo at Prithvi is also providing an opportunity for young theatre groups to showcase their short plays, as a pre show appetizer before the main show on each Thespo at Prithvi show day. If you have a play that you think can work in the outdoor areas of Prithvi Theatre, email us at thespo@gmail.com
Thespo at Prithvi in September (1st & 2nd)
September saw the 2 session workshop 'In The Right Direction' being conducted for budding directors by Sameera Iyengar. ,The workshop saw an enthusiastic response from participants who were from varied professions including actors, directors and theatre enthusiasts from the field of film-making and advertising. Feedback on the workshop has been very positive and although numbers dwindled a little over the two days, the workshop seems to have lit a fire in the minds of the young directors.
In the main space, Le Chayim Theatre presented two plays which have made it to Thespo in the past, Damages and Confessions. The response was to the shows was overwhelming. Despite the long running times of the plays (especially Confessions), it was heartening to see the audience members glued intently.
A bit of magic happened during the 2nd show of Confessions. For all the details check out our Trivia Time section this month.
We all would like to thank all those who came for the show and sat through the power failure. Was truly a moment we all will cherish.
The October programme of Thespo at Prithvi is very exciting. Winner of all things Thespo X, Dalan returns to the Prithvi stage. Last year it had brought joy to the packed capacity crowd who attended and we are sure it will do the same again. Although in Marathi the play is easy to follow even if you are not familiar with the languages and the energising performances really make this a treat to watch. So catch it on 6th October at 6 & 9pm at Prithvi Theatre.
Thespo 11 - Stage a play and much more!!
INDIA'S PREMIER YOUTH THEATRE
FESTIVAL IS NOW 11!!
The Thespo juggernaut rolled into Delhi and Bangalore for the Orientation meeting. Whereas Delhi saw a surge in the number of people attending, Bangalore saw a drop as compared to previous years.
The last date for registering your play is Thursday, September 10th 2009. So if you are under 25 years of age and have a play that's minimum an hour long, Register now!!!!
For more details contact: 9833186360 or email : thespo@gmail.com
In 1999, Theatre Group Bombay (TG) approached Q Theatre Productions (QTP) with the idea of merging the oldest theatre group and the younger theatre groups in a festival like atmosphere. Thespo was created to give young performers an opportunity to hone their talents on a simulated professional stage. Through Thespo, TG and QTP hope to encourage and recognize new talent as well as create a new generation of theatregoers. The idea behind the festival is that Thespo takes care of most of the production hassles of the groups. The festival provides free lights, sound, make up, hall space and even gives the participants a percentage of the ticket sales. This enables the teams to prepare for their plays uninhibited and produce the best work they can. The festival also provides guidance in terms of technical and dramatic knowledge to the teams. The festival has grown from the humble beginnings of a one-act play festival to a massive week–long full-length programme with entrants even from Bangalore, Delhi and Calcutta.
The hunt is on for new Thespians. So if you can write, direct, act, produce and are under 25 then Thespo is the platform for you.
This year at Thespo:
FULL LENGTH PLAYS Stage a Play on any topic, any language! Must be at least 1 hour long.
PLATFORM PERFORMANCES Short pieces of around 20mins.
RADIO PLAYS Writing for radio - Workshop Leading into radio play performances.
FILM MAKING Learn how to make a documentary on any aspect of theatre.
POSTER DESIGN Design posters for the most outstanding play staged at Thespo every year!
WORKSHOPS On different disciplines of theatre. Conducted by the best in the field.
LIVE BANDS Bands will be given an opportunity to perform a half hour acoustic set. Performances in any genre - rock, jazz, fusion, Indian classical, etc. are welcome
MAGAZINE Contribute to the festival mouthpiece with an interesting story or feature about the theatre.
TEAM THESPO Get involved in event management, marketing & PR, promotions, graphic design, etc.
For further details, call: 26392688 / 9819024757 Or Email: thespo@gmail.com
Rules & Regulations for full length plays:-
1. All participants must be 25 years of age or under as of January 1, 2009.
2. Plays must have a minimum duration of one hour.
3. The plays may be in any language.
4. The plays need not have an original script.
5. Final date for registration: 10 September 2009. At the time of registration a refundable deposit of Rs.300 will be taken from the group.
6. The screening and selection of plays is in Sep-Oct 2009 and the finalists will be announced by November 1st, 2009.
7. The festival will be held from 8 - 13 December 2009 at the NCPA Experimental Theatre,& Prithvi Theatre, Bombay.
8. It is not mandatory for auditioning plays to present the Screening Committee with their final costumes, sets and props. It is important to provide 'as clear an idea' of them as possible though. 9. Final participants will be given fixed number of tickets at pre-determined rates for their show-day as well as for the other days. The teams will keep and use the proceeds from the ticket sales to cover their production costs.
10. Make-up, lights and sound will be provided to the participants.
11. All participants will be awarded a Thespo Certificate. Winners of the awards will get the ‘Thespo’ and a certificate.
12. Awards will be given in the following categories: Outstanding Actor, Outstanding Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actor, Outstanding Supporting Actress, Outstanding Production Design, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Play, Outstanding Original Script.
Please Note:
1)The emphasis is NOT on competition but on coming together as a unit to create an entertaining festival for a paying audience.
2)If you have a talent, which you would like to put up at Thespo, please contact the Organizing Committee. (This includes playing an instrument, reading poetry, performing a monologue etc.
Great Texts - Come read a play with us.
On the last monday of every month people meet in Q's drawing room to read a play they may have heard of but not necessarily have read. Writer's come to see how the greats wrote, actors come to play multiple parts and theatre lovers come because it keeps them in touch with the art form. It is open all and everyone takes turns in playing characters from the play. Discussions ensue after over tea and biscuits.
In the month of July, we read Shankar Shesh's 'Aadhi Raat Ke Baad' - about a thief who is on the running for his life from a rich builder (whom he wants to expose). He takes refuge in the house of a judge and wants the judge to hand him over to the police, as he would be feel safer in lock-up than he does when he is free.
In the month of July, we read Shankar Shesh's 'Aadhi Raat Ke Baad' - about a thief who is on the running for his life from a rich builder (whom he wants to expose). He takes refuge in the house of a judge and wants the judge to hand him over to the police, as he would be feel safer in lock-up than he does when he is free.
For the first time in the history of Great Text reading, we were attempting a play in Hindi and were a tad nervous about how it would all turn out. But to our surprise, not only did we have a nice little gathering of 10, but they all read Hindi as well. Everyone had a wonderful time, even the couple of readers who were not very fluent and chose to read the character with the shortest lines. As there were only 3 characters in an urban setting, everyone was comfortable with the dialogue and the story flowed quite swiftly. Given the enthusiastic response, we are going to try and schedule more Hindi plays in the months to come.
Suggestions for Hindi plays to read are most welcome!
There will not be any reading in the month of September as the day falls on Dusheera. But we will be back in October!!
Point of View - A review of A Personal War.
The views expressed in this article are of the author. You are welcome to agree, disagree or comment by emailing us at qtheatreproductions@gmail.com
A PERSONAL WAR –
STORY OF THE MUMBAI TERROR ATTACK
The three days of November 26, 2008 are etched deeply in the mind and heart of every citizen of Mumbai. There is no way anyone can remain untouched and unmoved by the very mention of 26/11. But one person poured her anguish on to paper, and very hurriedly got mostly family members to support her to express her personal outrage on stage.
Divya Palat’s persistent smses and phone calls inviting me to A PERSONAL WAR – STORIES OF THE MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS, triumphed in spite of my initial reluctance. And her original play being invited to open the Edinburgh Fringe Festival intrigued me.
Divya Palat’s persistent smses and phone calls inviting me to A PERSONAL WAR – STORIES OF THE MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS, triumphed in spite of my initial reluctance. And her original play being invited to open the Edinburgh Fringe Festival intrigued me.
There were some twenty five brief monologues very sincerely and very simply written & directed by Divya Palat, capturing the pain, torment, violence, horror, humour, shame, resilience, disbelief of what happened at the Taj Palace Hotel near the Gateway of India, the Trident Oberoi Hotel at Nariman Point, the VT station, the Leopold Café in Colaba Causeway.
Divya collected all that one had heard and read in the TV, Press reports, and Editorials, and personal stories shared in drawing rooms of many that one lost in that bloody, unexpected, diabolic mayhem, and wove them into monologues spoken by actors who became witnesses to the gory bloodshed of that day.
The Experimental Theatre of the National Centre For the Performing Arts was beautifully draped in white, blue and violet orchids, decorating the entrance and the foyer, welcoming the special invitees of the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Commissioner of Police Mr. S
hivanandan with a myriad of juices. It belied the impact of what was in store for the audience within the auditorium. Many had visited the NCPA for the first time in their lives.
The Experimental Theatre of the National Centre For the Performing Arts was beautifully draped in white, blue and violet orchids, decorating the entrance and the foyer, welcoming the special invitees of the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Commissioner of Police Mr. S
hivanandan with a myriad of juices. It belied the impact of what was in store for the audience within the auditorium. Many had visited the NCPA for the first time in their lives.The stage was set with one large and four television screens projecting EDINBURGH FRINGE DIARY and one upturned bar stool that was intermittently straightened or laid down as the monologues demanded.
It all began self indulgently with a hand-held home video projecting the excitement and enthusiasm of the cast arriving in Edinburgh.
This was followed by another video of very positive, encouraging, moving responses from various members of the audience – young, old, professionals, journalists, perhaps survivors/victims/witnesses of terrorist attacks in their own part of the world --who had attended one the 17 shows at the Fringe. Many were unable to hold back their tears and spoke in choked voices and emotion.
Then, amidst actual footage projected on large screens as backdrop, the horror of those three days began to unfold on stage as a team of seven actors made their entrances and exits taking the events forward.
The familiar footage of the Taj, its burning dome, gun-toting terrorists wandering through its corridors, their conversations, commands, and instructions from their mentors, the captured terrorist Ajmal Kasab being interrogated in hospital, scenes from VT station, Chowpatty, Leopold Café brought alive the reality and enormity of 26/11 all over again.
Anu Menon played the invasive TV journalist Smita Prasad communicating the over enthusiasm of the TV reporters vying with competitive channels to grab the largest number of eyeballs, that received such flack from the public, and their personal dilemma in the modus operandi dictated by their bosses. Vivan Bathena was the hospitality-trainee Shahrukh Khan epitomising the service-before-self sacrifi
ces of the hotel staff who is finally gunned-down by the terrorists protecting his clients. Khushboo Hitkari was the empty-headed celebrity Saloni preening before the cameras making vacuous statements. Aditya Hitkari played the lawyer Harshad Mehta who accompanies his businessman father to the Oberoi for dinner, survives because he is buried under a heap of bodies that fall over him during the shoot-out. Sanket Mhatre was the shy college student Vicky who reluctantly accompanies some friends to the Leopold Café because a girl he has a crush on is also going along. But she is killed before he can confess his love for her. Vatsala Kothari as the Gujarati Meeta Patel from Vapi was the VT shootout survivor who arrived at VT to fulfill a long cherished dream to visit Mumbai and Bollywood, mistakes the shootings for a Hindi film unit, and loses her husband and her 4-year-old son in the attack. Divya Palat was the devastated young woman from Pune who describes the horrific events through a flood of tears while talking to her mother on the phone.A PERSONAL WAR is certainly a triumph for Divya Palat. The heart wrenching truth and tragedy is interspersed with humour -- but the graveness and seriousness leaves no one untouched.
The Jana Gana Mana Curtain call was a fitting tribute at the end . And one could hear the choked sobs and tears through the singing of the National Anthem as many in the audience relived those darkest hours.
The proceeds of THE PERSONAL WAR were donated to the Police Commissioner as a humble contribution towards better equipping our Police Force with bullet-proof life jackets, better weapons, et al. This is one example of how theatre can motivate and communicate effectively.
- Dolly Thakore
Veteran theatre actress and critic.
- Dolly Thakore
Veteran theatre actress and critic.
4 Corners - What's New in Bombay
THEATRE GALORE
While health authorities suggested everyone should stay indoors to avoid getting the swine flu, theatre folk across the city braved the heavy rain to make it to rehearsal. How else can you explain the premiere of no less than a dozen new plays, and that too even before the 'theatre festival' season has started.
‘Jaise Kitabon Mein Mile’ marks the return of Adakaar Theatre Group after many years. The hoardings outside Globus and Juhu, boasts of what should be a commercial sell-out. However early responses at Prithvi haven't been too encouraging. Time will tell whether this play develops into a hit.
Ramu Ramanathan is in se
lf imposed theatre exile. Giving up his post at PT Notes almost two years ago, the man hasn't been seen near a theatre. And boy have we missed him. Now he's back...or rather his words are back. This time, Mohit Takalkar has decided to take on Ramu's new play ‘Kashmir Kashmir’. It is a combination that has audiences mouths watering. With Radhika Apte, Sagar Deshmukh, Sarang Sathaye and all the Aasakta regulars this promises to be quite a treat on the 11th and 12th of September at Prithvi.
A few years ago, Darshan Jariwalla and Mandira Bedi starred together (but not quite) in two monologues entitled 'Laughing Wild'. Once again they have teamed up with director Vikranth Pawar to bring to the stage ‘Conditions Apply’. Clearly one for the commercial houses, the play opens on the 20th of September at the Tata Theatre.
The 26th of September is going to be the clash of titans at the NCPA.
In the experimenta
l corner you have QTP's ‘Some Girl(s)’, a lovely relationship based play about a man who is trying to make amends by visiting all his ex-girlfriends before he gets married. He seems to be seeking closure. The play marks the stage debut of two of
Meanwhile across the garden at the NCPA Tat
a, Cyrus Broacha makes a come back after almost a decade away with ‘Cyrusitis’. And part stand up comedy part revue piece with Kunal Vijayakar.
And then there is the much awaited ‘S*x, M*rality & Cens*rship’ by the dream team of Sunil Shanbag, Shanta Gokhale and Irawati Karnik. The play has taken many months to put together, and revolves around a 1970s
The rest of the year looks exciting too. Some great playwrights are about to be brought to the stage. Debutante director Abhishek Saha is taking on Girish Karnad's ‘Bali - The Sacrifice’. Shabana Azmi is going to feature in Karnad's monologue, 'Heap of Broken Images'. Mahabanoo Mody Kotwal is continuing her association with Eve Ensler by directing 'I Am An Emotional Creature' for November. Neeraj Kabi is taking a break from his regular workshops to work on something for Delhi's Ibsen Festival January and Avaan Patel is putting together an ambitious production of Michael Frayn's ‘
No round up of new plays is complete without the presence of AKvarious in the list. They are working on Pedro Almodovar's 'All About my Mother’. This marks the return to the director's chair for 'Dad' Akash Khurana, who has had an incredibly busy year with performances in ‘Proof’, ‘Waiting for Godot’, ‘Antigone’, etc.
The rest of the regulars are not far behind. Manav Kaul is returning from his hiatus in Bangalore to begin work on something new with his group aRanya, and the ever active Rage are putting together a series of monologues.
So all in all it promises to be a really exciting next few months. Watch this space for more details as they unfold.
- Himanshu Sitlani
Actor, Producer & theatre junkie at large.
AK's Various Thoughts
Theatre Director Akarsh Khurana shares his views on theatre in Bombay and across India.
Suicidal during Swine Flu
As youngsters all over the country are scrambling to register for Thespo, I think it only fitting to begin with a Thespo reference / memory / quip. In 2002, when I was still a youngster, I entered my third consecutive Thespo final. After a disastrous 2001 final (fully grown, dignified adults booed us off stage), I tentatively made another attempt with a lovely original play written by Apoorva Kale (a talented friend, who abandoned us, and now happily resides in Brooklyn, New York). The play was a big success, sweeping the awards. It was called “Pigs on the Wing”. Today, it would be banned / shunned, since the title technically could mean “Swine Flu in the Air”.
So, the state was hit by this pig of a disease, and eventually along with schools, offices and multiplexes, t
heatres were closed. This came as a shock, since the mandate had clearly meant “crowded places”. Nonetheless, shutters came down dramatically. And the city came to a standstill on a weekend. A weekend on which we had shows. Two big ones got canceled, resulting in losses and a criminal waste of publicity (the rates of which are criminal too). However, the manager of Prithvi coolly received my call and said the Kapoor clan strongly believes in “the show must go on”. Unless of course the group chose to cancel. Now the scheduled shows were productions by us - and we have a reputation of being suicidal - and Ansh - which is led by Makrand Deshpande, who remains wonderfully unfazed under any circumstances, and run by Sanjay Dadhich, the eternally nonchala
nt fountain of wisdom. I believe the correct term is ‘wiseguy’. Point being, we didn’t step down. Day One was scary. Advances were sub zero. And current was a trickle. Day Two, I think Mumbaikars threw some caution to the infected wind, flocked to the only open entertainment venue, and business was better. This time the meek did not inherit the Earth.
Rumour has it that this column / section / online rant of mine is widely appreciated. At least in the Q Theatre Productions’ office. As a Good Samaritan, I lent QTP a play I liked, for them to consider doing it. They liked it, and promptly asked me to adapt it. They claimed to like my ‘work’. I got seduced into
agreeing. Minutes later, owing to unforeseeable circumstances, that play couldn’t be done, a new text was chosen, new plans were charted, but somehow, I still had to adapt. I got flummoxed into agreeing. The outcome will be staged soon. Perhaps then someone out there will actually leave a comment on this blog. However, when the QTP conspiracy finally sank in, I extracted sweet revenge by emotionally blackmailing Q into acting (and dancing) in a children’s play. Some detractors claim it was a purely financial move. I can’t deny that a huge chunk of the city (especially the Southerners) did hoard tickets so they could watch his glorious return to the stage. But that was incidental. I had my vengeance. I can release photographs, but for a fee.
I ended the month of August with my customary visit as judge to Malhar. It serves as happy hunting ground for new talent. This time around, nothing revolutionary emerged. No real discovery, surprise or shock. Except when a bearded boy, for reasons best known to him, played Paris Hilton. When I recovered, I sighed, and decided to wait for Thespo. Here’s looking at you, kids.
Up & Coming - Play Schedule
The following is a list of shows you should watch out for this month. The code to it's deciphering is as follows:
in blue are QTP events.
Those with an (R) next to them means that we have reviewed it, and if you require a review simply email us at qtheatreproductions@gmail.com asking for it.
Those with an (PP) next to them means that it is a platform performance, entry free!
| Date, Day | Time & Venue | Play | Notes |
| 7, Mon | |||
| 6:30pm, NCPA Exp. | Dastangoi | With Mahmood Farooqui, Danish Husain and Naseeruddin Shah. | |
| 7:30pm, Awishkar Saunskrutik Kendra* | Sapadalelya Aathavani | Directed by Girish Patke and Pt. Satyadev Dubey. | |
| 8, Tue | 6:30pm, NCPA Exp. | The Caine Mutiny Court Martial | The play examines the tragedy of war & probes the psyche of those at the forefront of battle, |
| 7:30pm, Awishkar Saunskrutik Kendra* | Radha Vaja Ranade | Written and Directed by Chetan Datar. | |
| 9pm, Prithvi | Hey Bhagwan | A satirical comedy, a pun on our so-called commercial society. | |
| 9, Wed | 6:30pm, NCPA Exp | The Caine Mutiny Court Martial | A Motley Presentation. Directed by Naseeruddin Shah |
| 7:30pm, Awishkar Saunskrutik Kendra* | Miss Calls | Written by Sameer Garud. Directed by Pritesh Sodha. | |
| 9pm, Prithvi | Hey Bhagwan | A Yatri Presentation. | |
| 10, Thu | |||
| 6:30pm, NCPA Exp. | Ismat Aapa Ke Naam Part 2 | With Manoj Pahwa, Lovleen Misra and Seema Pahwa. | |
| 9pm, Prithvi | Chinta Chhod Chintamani | The story of a family where the father thinks his progeny are standing at the threshold of total ruination. | |
| 11, Fri | |||
| 6:30pm, NCPA Exp. | All Thieves | Dramatised Presentation of Short Stories in Hindi/English. | |
| 6:30pm, NCPA Chauraha | Rakhel | A dramatized reading of a Keki Daruwalla play. Directed by Akarsh Khurana | |
| 9pm, Prithvi | Kashmir Kashmir | Written by Ramu Ramanathan. Directed by Mohit Takalkar. | |
| 12, Sat | |||
| 6:30pm, NCPA Exp. | Waiting for Godot | A play where nothing happens. Twice. | |
| 6 & 9pm, Prithvi | Kashmir Kashmir | With Radhika Apte, Sagar Deshmukh, Omkar Govardhan and Rupali Bhave. | |
| 13, Sun | 6:30pm, NCPA Exp. | Waiting for Godot | An expression of two characters and their unique spirit towards life. |
| 6:30pm, Tata Theatre | Brief Candle | Written by Mahesh Dattani. Produced and directed by Lillete Dubey. | |
| 6 & 9pm, Prithvi | Chinta Chhod Chintamani | Directed by Om Katare. | |
| 7:30pm, St. Andrews Auditorium | All About Women | A sometimes funny, sometimes moving journey into the female psyche. | |
| 15, Tue | |||
| 9pm , Prithvi | Flowers | A dramatic monologue about a devoted and pious priest who violates both his dharma and his bhakti because of his love for a courtesan. | |
| 16, Wed | 9pm, Prithvi | Flowers | Written by Girish Karnad. Directed by Roysten Abel. |
| 17, Thu | |||
| 9pm, Prithvi | Pune Highway | 3 young men are holed up in a seedy hotel room just off the Bombay-Pune highway. | |
| 18, Fri | 7 & 9:30pm, Prithvi | Pune Highway | Written and Directed by Rahul da Cunha. |
| 19, Sat | 7 & 9:30pm, Prithvi | Me, Kash & Cruise | A roller coaster ride of three Bombayites & their attempts to deal with the city’s ever changing social, civic and political landscape. |
| 7pm, NCPA Exp. | Don't Look Now | Directed by Trishla Patel. | |
| 20, Sun | 6:30pm, NCPA Exp. | Don't Look Now | With Akarsh Khurana, Ratnabali Bhattacharjee, Hussain Dalal, Pawan Uttam, and others. |
| 6:30pm, Tata Theatre | Conditions Apply | With Mandira Bedi and Darshan Jariwalla. | |
| 7 & 9:30pm, Prithvi | Me, Kash & Cruise | With Yamini Namjoshi, Amit Mistry, Neil Bhoopalam and Rajit Kapur. | |
| 7pm, Sathaye College Auditorium** | Aaja Meri Gaadi Main Baith Jaa | A portrayal of a couple who has been experiencing all the ups and downs , pros and cons of the dynamic world, changed perceptions, attitudes and identity crisis. | |
| 22, Tue | |||
| 9pm, Prithvi | Saleman Ramlal | A play about an ordinary man with extra-ordinary dreams. | |
| 23, Wed | 9pm, Prithvi | Salesman Ramlal | With Satish Kaushik, Seema Biswas, Kishore Kadam & others |
| 24, Thu | 9pm, Prithvi | Salesman Ramlal | Written by Arthur Miller. Directed by Feroz Abbas Khan. |
| 25, Fri | |||
| 9pm, Prithvi | Salesman Ramlal | Ramlal is caught in a web of installment payments, technological obsolescence and retrenchment. | |
| 26, Sat | |||
| 11am, Prithvi | Barsoraam Dhadaake Se | An IPTA Balmanch Presentation. | |
| 6 & 9pm, Prithvi | Salesman Ramlal | A Platform's Presentation. | |
| 7pm, Tata Theatre | Cyrusitis | With Cyrus Broacha and Kunal Vijayakar. | |
| 7pm, NCPA Exp. | Some Girl(s) | A young man is about to get hitched. And yet, he panics. He begins calling up ex-girlfriends to bring some closure to old relationships perhaps in search of the perfect woman. A QTP Presentation. | |
| 27, Sun | 11am, Prithvi | Barsoraam Dhadaake Se | Written by Kalpana Swaminathan. Directed by Shaili Sathyu |
| 6 & 9pm, Prithvi | All The Best | A story of three men who are in love with the same woman however one cannot see, other cannot speak and the third cannot hear. | |
| 7pm, Tata Theatre | 1-888-Dial-India | Written and Directed by Anuvab Pal. | |
| 7pm, NCPA Exp. | Some Girl(s) | Starring Mukul Chaddha, Shivani Tanksale, Juhi Pande, Radhika Mital, Tarana Raja Kapoor. Directed by Nadir Khan. | |
| 29, Tue | 9pm, Prithvi | S*x, M*orality and Cens*rship | A modern seduction of ideas exploring one of the most controversial issues of our time – morality and censorship. |
| 30, Wed | |||
| 9pm, Prithvi | S*x, M*orality and Cens*rship | Directed by Sunil Shanbag. |
* Awishkar Saunskrutik Kendra - Mahim Muncipal School, Mia Mohammed Chhatani Marg, 3rd Cross Lane, Mahim (w)
** Sathaye College Auditorium - Dixit Road, Vile Parle (e)
You can also check the following websites for more information:
Prithvi Theatre: http://www.prithvitheatre.org/
NCPA: http://www.ncpamumbai.com/home/home.asp
Mumbai Theatre Guide: http://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/
Best of Bombay: www.bestofbombay.com/calendar.php
Online Ticket Booking: www.bookmyshow.com
Great Stuff - Workshops, etc.
WORKSHOPS:
Pt. Satyadev Dubey will be conducting an Acting Workshop on 19th, 20th, 21st of September and 26th, 27th, 28th of September 2009. Fees for the workshop will be Rs.5500/-
For more details contact the Prithvi Box Office at 26149546
Foundation Skills for Actors - Conducted by Suruchi Aulakh from 28th September to 3rd October at P.L. Deshpande Auditorium, Prabhadevi. For more details call 9321595159 or log onto www.theatreprofessionals.co.in
Theatre Workshop - An Intensive Acting Training Programme - Conducted by Neeraj Kabi from 14th to 25th September at Oshiwara, Andheri from 7pm to 10pm by Pravah Theatre Laboratory. For more details call 9819289504.
Ibteda - A Dastangoi Workshop: A two-day introductory workshop on Dastangoi, the art of storytelling. The purpose of the workshop is to acquaint performers with the art form, and if possible induct prospective Dastango's for future performances. The Workshop is conducted Free of Cost, and will be conducted by Mahmood Faooqui and Danish Husain.
The availability is limited so please ensure that you send your acknowledgments by September 09, 2009
For more details contact: 09873078449 / 09873078449 or Email : dan.ayyaar@gmail.com
India Hosts 8th International Women Playwrights’ Conference Women Playwrights:
International (WPI) is coming to India this year for its 8th international conference. The Conference will be co-hosted by the Stree Mukti Sanghatana (SMS) and the Academy of Theatre Arts, University of Mumbai India, from 1st to 7th November 2009 at Mumbai University Campus at Kalina, Santacruz . An apex committee comprises of Jyoti Mhapsekar, Waman Kendre & Sushama Deshpande.
The theme for the 8th Women Playwright’s Conference is Liberty and Tolerance. The subthemes will be Identity, Culture and Diversity, Non-violence a way of living, Challenges of patriarchy, Role of Theatre in the Socio-Political World, Humor in Theatre.
The agenda of the conference is to create a common Platform for the Women Playwrights and others from different parts of the world to share their experiences, culture, language, religious beliefs, and values and to create a tolerance to each other’s point of view. It will also encourage study and informed critique of the work of women playwrights. Highlights of the conference will be the play readings and more than 10 performances of the plays by women playwrights from India and abroad.
It will be attended by 400 national & international delegates working in various capacities such as writers, directors, actors, producers, critiques etc. It will enthuse women activists to pay special attention to the creative instincts. The hosts are inviting all those who are closely related to the theatrical movement to attend the conference which will be an enriching experience.
For more information visit www.wpinternational.net and www.streemuktisanghatana.org
Pt. Satyadev Dubey will be conducting an Acting Workshop on 19th, 20th, 21st of September and 26th, 27th, 28th of September 2009. Fees for the workshop will be Rs.5500/-
For more details contact the Prithvi Box Office at 26149546
Foundation Skills for Actors - Conducted by Suruchi Aulakh from 28th September to 3rd October at P.L. Deshpande Auditorium, Prabhadevi. For more details call 9321595159 or log onto www.theatreprofessionals.co.in
Theatre Workshop - An Intensive Acting Training Programme - Conducted by Neeraj Kabi from 14th to 25th September at Oshiwara, Andheri from 7pm to 10pm by Pravah Theatre Laboratory. For more details call 9819289504.
Ibteda - A Dastangoi Workshop: A two-day introductory workshop on Dastangoi, the art of storytelling. The purpose of the workshop is to acquaint performers with the art form, and if possible induct prospective Dastango's for future performances. The Workshop is conducted Free of Cost, and will be conducted by Mahmood Faooqui and Danish Husain.
The availability is limited so please ensure that you send your acknowledgments by September 09, 2009
For more details contact: 09873078449 / 09873078449 or Email : dan.ayyaar@gmail.com
India Hosts 8th International Women Playwrights’ Conference Women Playwrights:
International (WPI) is coming to India this year for its 8th international conference. The Conference will be co-hosted by the Stree Mukti Sanghatana (SMS) and the Academy of Theatre Arts, University of Mumbai India, from 1st to 7th November 2009 at Mumbai University Campus at Kalina, Santacruz . An apex committee comprises of Jyoti Mhapsekar, Waman Kendre & Sushama Deshpande.
The theme for the 8th Women Playwright’s Conference is Liberty and Tolerance. The subthemes will be Identity, Culture and Diversity, Non-violence a way of living, Challenges of patriarchy, Role of Theatre in the Socio-Political World, Humor in Theatre.
The agenda of the conference is to create a common Platform for the Women Playwrights and others from different parts of the world to share their experiences, culture, language, religious beliefs, and values and to create a tolerance to each other’s point of view. It will also encourage study and informed critique of the work of women playwrights. Highlights of the conference will be the play readings and more than 10 performances of the plays by women playwrights from India and abroad.
It will be attended by 400 national & international delegates working in various capacities such as writers, directors, actors, producers, critiques etc. It will enthuse women activists to pay special attention to the creative instincts. The hosts are inviting all those who are closely related to the theatrical movement to attend the conference which will be an enriching experience.
For more information visit www.wpinternational.net and www.streemuktisanghatana.org
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