The Script, August 2010 - Issue 8

As mentioned in last month's issue, against all hope, from the cold (30 degree celcius) pastures of Canada, yours truly has taken charge of 'The Script' once again and in due course, hopefully, bring you theatre news from this side of the world as well. Its good to be back!

August kicks of the festival season beginning with Independence Day and then Raksha Bandhan a little later. This holds true for Bombay theatre as well - The 14th Annual Nehru festival will begin from the 2nd with the theme of 'Retrospective of Theatre in India' showcasing the work of eminent theatre directors of India. Also, our very own All India Youth Festival 'Thespo 12' has commenced it activities for the main festival to be held in December. And Prithvi are doing a 'festival of maths' around the production of Complicite's 'A Disappearing Number'

For us, at QTP, August promises to be busy as can be.

Thespo 12 orientations have just been completed in Calcutta, Bombay and Pune. Bangalore is the next stop, and then hopefully Delhi as well. Also all 3 plays from our repertory will be performing this month. After over a year, Project S.T.R.I.P. returns to the Bombay stage at Prithvi and NCPA. Also at the same venues, our newest (un) romantic hit, Some Girl(s) will be showcased. Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace will be headed down south to perform in Chennai and Bangalore. Also this month, Thespo at Prithvi welcomes back Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? And don't forget, Great Text Reading will be happening on the last monday of the month. WHEW!!!

Things are so busy that we are HIRING! We are looking for people with an interest and passion for the organisational side of theatre. An experience of working on plays/backstage/ live events is preferred. Also should have a working understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, etc. (Photoshop and Corel Draw knowledge would be even better). Please note, this is NOT an ACTING position. But it is about living and breathing theatre full time. If you think you fit the bill, please email your resume to qtheatreproductions@gmail.com

This edition The Script is dedicated to festival things. Here's what to look for:

Trivia Time: Theatre Jokes
QTP Workshops:Next batch of After Hours - our weekend workshop.
Great Text: What are we going to read this month?
Project S.T.R.I.P.: We're back in a new "avatar"
Some Girl(s): More shows, at a theatre near you!
Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace: We're Touring to Chennai and Bangalore.
Thespo 12: Its time!
Thespo at Prithvi: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Point of View: Priti Bakalkar watches the Delhi play "Mahim Junction."
4 Corners: Joanna Dukkipatti talks about her experience at the Fools Festival in Belfast.
AK's Various Thoughts: Akarsh Khurana recounts his experience on traveling to Nagpur and acting on stage.
Dolly Thakore's 'Life in Theatre': Dolly Thakore sees Theatre in Art.
Q's Countdown: Q counts down ten lessons from watching plays at last year's Edinburgh Fringe.
Up & Coming: Complete Schedule of what to watch in August.
Theatre Training: Adhishakti Workshop and Puppet Workshop for children
Other Theatre News: Details of IDEA Theatre's 'Prem Utsav' festival.
Curtain Call: Ben Kingsley on the privilege of acting.

Yours Sincerely,
On Behalf of Q Theatre Productions,

Himanshu.
Editor, The Script

Trivia Time

Theatre Joke - Light Bulbs

Q: How many theatre critics does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: All of them - 1 to be highly critical of the design elements, 1 to express contempt for the glow of the lamp, 1 to lambast the interpretation of wattage used, 1 to critique the performance of the bulb itself, 1 to recall superb light bulbs of past seasons and lament how this one fails to measure up, and all to join in the refrain reflecting on how they could build a better light bulb in their sleep.

Q: How many audience members does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Three. One to do it, one child to cry and another to say, "ROSE, HE'S CHANGING THE LIGHT BULB."

Q: How many interns does it take to change a light bulb?
A: It doesn't matter because you'll have to do it again anyway.

Q: How many stage managers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: It's on my list...It's on my list...

Q: How many actors does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. Doesn't the stage manager do that?

Q: How many producers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: NONE! there isn't enough money in the budget.

QTP Workshops

AFTER HOURS

After a few months since our last workshop of this sort, we are happy to announce the fourth batch of our After Hours Workshop. This will be held at the Arts in Motion Studios at Sion, and will be conducted by Quasar.

'AFTER HOURS' is our special ice breaker/ explorator/ tester/nothing lost-everything gained, weekend acting course for a quick check to explore & determine latent potential & future career in theatre/films. The program will include voice work, body language, theatre games, role playing, statues, miming, script writing & more.

With emphasis on acting going beyond observing to actual 'doing' the group is treated like a

professional theatre troupe and all topics covered as though they were rehearsals and improvisations.The course will culminate in a short play on the final day to be performed for friends, family & public.

The program will begin Sat 28th August and will be held for a duration of 5 weekendss, (8 sessions) every Sat 4-8pm & Sun 1-5pm. Participants must be over 15 years of age. No prior experience or background in theatre is required.

All participants will receive a completion certificate at the end of the workshop and also automatically get onto our database which will be offered to other theatre groups and off beat film makers.

Registrations open!!! Please call 9820183231 for further information.

F.A.Q's:

Following are answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions. Hope they answer most of your queries:

Where will the workshop be held?

39, T.V.Chidambaran Marg, Sion (E), Mumbai 400022

Who is eligible for this course?

Participants of the course do not necessarily need to have any prior experience or background in theatre. However, they have to be over 15 years of age.

How many participants will be there?

There will be not more than 12 participants.

Who is conducting?

The workshop is conducted by Quasar Thakore Padamsee. A theatre director and actor for Q Theatre Productions. He has been involved in the theatre for more than 10 years with some formal training from Singapore. Some of the productions he has been involved in are: All My Sons (Director), Lucky Ones (Director), Lunch Girls (Director), R&J: Romeo and Juliet (Producer), Minorities (Director), A View from the Stage (Director), Evita (Technical Advisor), The President is Coming (Producer), Project S.T.R.I.P. (Director). Recently he was also Assistant Director to Tim Supple’s international production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

What does the course cover?

This is a weekend acting course for working professionals. We begin with ice breakers and theatre games. Move on to voice work and body language followed by role playing, statues and mime. The participants also go through sessions on script writing and the course finally culminates in a short play on the final day to be performed for friends of the group. The entire course is designed as a workshop and there is virtually no sitting at a desk. The emphasis is that actors must do, so the group is treated like a theatre troupe and all topics are covered as though they were rehearsals and improvisations.

How many sessions does it include?

The workshop will be conducted in 8 sessions (4 hours each) over 5 weekends, starting from 28th of August 2010.

What language will it be conducted in?

The workshops will mainly be conducted in English but the skills learnt will be applicable for theatre in any language.

What will I get at the end of the workshop?

All participants receive a completion certificate at the end of the workshop and also automatically get onto our database which is often tapped by other theatre groups and off beat film makers. We will try and recommend members of the workshop to other groups and try and place them, but there is no guarantee about this.

How do I register?

Call 9820183231.

When is the last date for registration?

Friday, 25th August 2010.

What do I need to bring?

We require you to bring 2 passport size photographs with you for the registration.

Great Text Reading - 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.

Last month, we read The Laramie Project, a play by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project.The play revolves around the reaction to the 1998 murder of University of Wyoming gay student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. The play was incredibly powerful, and the documentary style of the narrative was very moving. It truly gave us an insight into the time and location of where the play was set. Post reading discussions ranged from arguing about what would have justified such a brutal action to the issues about gay rights to religious violence.


In the month of August, we will be reading 'When the Rain Stops Falling' by Andrew Bovell. An epic play spanning four generations and two continents, 'When The Rain Stops Falling' moves from the claustrophobia of a 1950s London flat to the windswept coast of Southern Australia and into the heart of the Australian desert.

The play interweaves a series of connected stories, as seven people confront the mysteries of their past in order to understand their future,revealing how patterns of betrayal, love and abandonment are passed on. Until finally, well into the future, as the desert is inundated with rain, one young man finds the courage to defy the legacy.

The play won the 2008 Victorian Premier's Literary Award and the 2008 Queensland Premier's Literary Awards

We will be reading it on the 30th of August at 7:30pm at 18 Anukool, Sq. Ldr. Harminder Singh Marg, 7 Bungalows. Next to Daljit Gym. All are welcome. If you need directions call Quasar on 26392688 or 9821087261.

Project S.T.R.I.P. - We're Back!!!

Project S.T.R.I.P.

Sunday, 8th August at 6 & 9pm
at Prithvi Theatre

Sunday, 22nd August at 6:30pm
at NCPA Experimental

Its been over a year since our last public show. You cant keep a good thing down!!

Q Theatre Productions proudly presents the return "Project S.T.R.I.P.", a comic satire written by Ram Ganesh Kamatham and directed by Q.

In a small pond, it’s the big corporations that feed on the little fish! A comic satire about deranged corporations, mercenaries-for-hire, and an armed man called Abu and people who just can't seem to get out of the way.

The play tells the story of the discovery of a native island community and their contribution towards the ‘progress and trade’ of the modern world.

The cast includes Harssh A. Singh, Dilnaz Irani, Tariq Vasudeva, Shruti Sridharan and Neil Bhoopalam.

Sunday, 8th August at 6 & 9pm
at Prithvi Theatre

Sunday, 22nd August at 6:30pm
at NCPA Experimental

For tickets call Prithvi: 26149546 or NCPA: 22824567
or book online: www.bookmyshow.com

For other details call 26392688 or email: qtheatreproductions@gmail.com

Some Girl(s) - More shows!!

SOME GIRL(S)

Saturday, 7th August at 6 & 9pm
at Prithvi Theatre

Saturday, 21st August at 7pm
at NCPA Experimental

We're coming back!! And we're playing across the city!!!!

We are proud to present more shows of our newest hit play 'Some Girl(s)'.

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 Cast: Mukul Chadda, Shivani Tanksale, Juhi Pande, Radhika Mital, Tarana Raja Kapoor.

Join them on this humorous ride of soul searching, name calling and apologies.

Saturday, 7th August at 6 & 9pm
at Prithvi Theatre

Saturday, 21st August at 7pm
at NCPA Experimental

For tickets call Prithvi: 26149546 or NCPA: 22824567
or book online: www.bookmyshow.com

For other details call 26392688 or email: qtheatreproductions@gmail.com

To watch an inside look of the play, Click Here

Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace - In South India

Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace

13th August 2010 at Sir Mutha Subbarao Concert Hall, Chennai at (7:15)
14th August (7:30pm) and 15th August (3:30pm & 7:30pm) at Ranga Shankara, Bangalore

Jayati Bhatia dons the green saree and travels to South India to reprise her unforgettable role as the orphan girl who grows to become the matriarch of one of the more powerful families in newly Independent India. The play about love, family, responsibility and the strength of a woman who 'wraps the family in the web of her providing' has been directed by Q.

Here is what the press has had to say:

“The show started and what a show! One actress, Jayati Bhatia, a show stealer of the silver screen, kept the whole hall enraptured with her movements and dialogues. My heart went out to her. I wished so hard that I too could some day act like her. For one hour and fifteen minutes, we were mesmerized by Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace, a Q Theatre Production. And after the show, we all stood there and applauded for a whole 5 minutes, while Jayati just smiled back at us thanking us profusely with folded hands.” – The Assam Tribune

“Portrayed brilliantly…deserves applause” – NGAGE, Mumbai.

“Brilliantly layered…wonderful portrayal”– West Side Plus, Mumbai.

“Vivacious…Skillful…Innovative…Stimulating…Successful” – Time Out Mumbai.

“One of the most memorable acts in recent times…standing ovation…brilliant performance..” – The New Indian Express, Bangalore.

"An overall stunning performance" - Mumbaitheatreguide.com

"The stagecraft was immaculate and beautifully executed." - Mumbaitheatreguide.com

The shows are on:

Friday, 13th of August 2010 at Sir Mutha Subbarao Concert Hall, at 7:15pm
Saturday, 14th August (7:30pm) and Saturday, 15th August at 3:30pm & 7:30pm at Ranga Shankara, Bangalore

For more information, call 26392688 or email us on qtheatreproductions@gmail.com

Thespo 12 - It's time!!

Founded in 1999 by Theatre Group Bombay (TG), India’s oldest English language theatre group, Thespo has been created to give young performers (under the age of 25) an opportunity to hone their talents, in the simulated environment of professional theatre. Giving teams the best infrastructure available, so that they can produce the best work possible. Guidance in terms of technical and dramatic knowledge is also provided to the teams.

From the humble beginnings of a one-act play festival, the movement has grown into a round the year activity - with Thespo at Prithvi happening on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of every month and an Annual National Festival organised every December.

This year Thespo 12 will be held in December 2010 at Prithvi & NCPA Theatre.

THESPO 12 ORIENTATION MEETING

Thespo 12 kicked off with a series of Orientation Meetings in Bombay, Pune and Calcutta. If you missed it and are under 25, interested in theatre and looking for an opportunity, Thespo 12 is here for you. Find out how you can get involved in acting, writing, directing, graphic design, film-making, and much more!

Our next Orientation meeting is on the 15th of August, at 12 noon, at RangaShankara, Bangalore. So if you are in Bangalore, come down to find out how to be part of the country's 'freshest' theatre festival.

How you can get involved:

* Stage a Play: Any play on any topic. Must be at least 1 hour long.
* Short performances in a non-regular space are held before every show. (Includes mime, short plays, poetry reading, monologues, etc.)
* Attend a Workshop: Workshops each month conducted by eminent theatre veterans on a variety of topics.
* Design A Poster: Poster designing competition, where participants design posters for the short listed plays, which will be exhibited at the festival.
* Write an Article: Submitting an article on theatre for the festival magazine.
* Join Team Thespo: Design posters, sets, interior décor, work in PR, marketing, backstage, lighting, interact with theatre professionals, organize performances and a whole lot more.

To watch the video on how you can get involved with Thespo 12, Click Here

Thespo is on the lookout for 3 people, who would be part of the organising team.

For an overview of last year's festival, watch the video here.

For further details: 2639 2688 /Join 'Thespo' group on Facebook/ thespo12@gmail.com

Thespo at Prithvi - Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

6 Months after its last show, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? returns to the stage under 'Thespo at Prithvi' for August.

Come join George and Martha for an evening of fun and games!

Written by Edward Albee
Directed by Tahira Nath

Cast: Aman Uppal, Tahira Nath, Ali Fazal and Mrunmayee Lagoo
An (ibid.) Theatre Presentation.

Winner of Outstanding Supporting Actress at Thespo 2007.

Tuesday, 3rd August and Wednesday, 4th August at 9pm at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu
Tickets Rs.80/- only

Point of View - Priti Bakalkar reviews Mahim Junction

Mahim Junction: A Bollywood musical on stage

“Mahim Junction is an affectionate spoof on Bollywood films of the 70s.” This much description was enough to raise interest of a movie buff like me. I made a note in my diary to watch it and accordingly I ran at 6pm sharp from my workplace to NCPA for 6.30p.m. show on Friday. And I chose “Mahim Junction” over “Salt” which released the same day!!!

Of course, I did not expect anything extra ordinary. In fact what I was expecting was a mindless spoof on mindless Bollywood scene of the 70s. Well, not much to expect, I guess.

There were good old melodies playing of 60’s and 70’s in the auditorium. I expected a good house it being a Friday evening but quite low turnout for Tata Theatre, just about 100 people may be.

It began with the introduction of the play, how it started in Delhi and then toured Dubai and Muscat and within India and journey ahead to China and Malaysia after Mumbai shows. “Impressive Journey”, I thought to myself.

The story by and large took place on a secluded platform of Mahim railway station. It is about a group of people from certain “Basti” nearby the station who for some reason spend their day on the platform right from the time they wake up.

In the opening scene the Director comes on the stage and interrupts the scene and lectures the characters about how the play is about 70’s Bollywood movies and not one of the realistic movies of Prakash Jha and the likes and advises them to go “over the top”. And she demonstrates what is this means by dancing to a number from “Jewel Thief”. Well, the characters were already pretty “over the top” so what more did she want from them? And by the way Jewel Thief is not a 70’s movie. At the most late 60’s! 70’s was time of “Kaka” and “Angry Young Man” and not Dev Anand and Shammi Kapoor. The Lady needs to do a lot of homework. My mind starts doing overtime.

Nevertheless, I waited patiently to story to unfold. It was one of the thinnest and weakest storylines spread over two hours. It is about these bastiwalas who are only seem to enter and exit this platform. It mainly revolves around the Hindu naïve girl “Radha” and her muslim flamboyant boyfriend “Rahim”. Radha’s mother is against the match. Then Rahim gets framed in a case of terror attack. Radha falls prey to the villainous film director “DDLJ Kaladhanda”. And the problems get sorted out with help of the bastiwalas and “Randy”, the young foreign returned protégé of DDLJ who contests elections from “the basti” constituency. That’s the long and short of the storyline.

For about one hour various characters entered, blabbered, danced and mimed to some nice Hindi old melodies (again many not from 70’s) and then exited. And there I was getting more and more impatient as I started seeing people walking out of the play. Finally, when my neighbour walked out at 45^th minute me and my friend Smita gave ourselves a deadline of 10 minutes to walk away. The action started on arrival of DDLJ and we waited on. But when the play did not end even after rescue of Rahim from jail and Radha and Rahim’s wedding me and Smita picked up our bags and ran for our life. I wonder what was shown after we left. Maybe Radha and Rahim had kids and they went to school and one of them became a bad guy and other one a cop and the conflict between the two… Who knows?But quite possible!!

There were numerous characters in the story and many could have been knocked off completely. The characters were all “over the top” to the point of irritating. Well, they were funny by going over the top not irritating. There were only a handful of places where we could laugh. But that was also out of frustration. The storyline was very thin and to stretch it for 2 hours should be a criminal offence. There were way too many scene changes which were distracting and not necessary at all. They neither took the story forward nor strengthened the plot. A lot of homework needs to be done on social background of Mumbai in 70’s as well as music of 70’s. A Bengali fisherwoman in Mumbai in 70’s!!! A South Indian “champiwala” on station!? And bomb blasts in the basti in 70s?? Well, at the most it could have been an case of arson, but Bomb Blast? It is more of late 80’s or 90’s style of terror attacks. And what on the earth made “Randy” go to a film producer to take lessons on social reform? And what the hell is “DDLJ Kaladhanda” 's business? Did she really think it would be funny! Oh, hell no!! It was pathetic. But the actor did play it well, so that was a saving grace. DDLJ and Rahim were the only two characters who did their best to salvage the situation. For the others the less said the better. Many a times Radha was incomprehensible due to her shrieking. The only high point of the play was the set change from Mahim Station to DDLJ’s bedroom and the beautiful melodies of late 60’s. That’s about it.

Next time I will pass the real “Mahim Junction” I am going to close my eyes to block the bad memories of this “Mahim Junction”!

4 Corners - Joanna Dukkipati at the Festival of Fools, Belfast

THE FESTIVAL OF FOOLS

As you know, communication has various forms.

I believe we live in an extremely visually motivated world today. While I am (sadly) consumed by the all hypnotic colossal 'hep', I am also humbly moved by that which is not blatant.I am rather curious of all the books I have not read, of the plays I have not watched, of the movies I have not seen, of the paintings I have not known-- am curious for my own selfishness.

One look at the event brochure and The Festival of Fools surely promises to be an unforgettable experience not only for any one who loves performing arts but also for those looking for an adventure. I was definitely game.

The Festival of Fools (29^th April to 1^st May 2010) is Belfast’s annual celebration of street performances with the only objective to share the world of imagination with the people of her city. The Festival had multiple locations that were open air Squares and so good weather was indeed a blessing. I left home that Saturday morning equipped with my comfortable walking shoes waiting to be blown away.

Of the many stunt acts that day- the one I loved most was by the American husband-wife duo who simply called themselves ‘ Daredevil Chicken Club’. They were cheeky and the story they told us through their stunts may not have been extraordinary but their agility was the least subtle. They were a great team and succeeded in keeping the audience, not just engaged, but the open space ensured that they could teach them a stunt or trick. Right from getting in and out of tiny hula -hoops to shooting pieces of fruit accurately into each other’s mouth as though a tennis ball; it was hilariously unforgettable.

The acts were local and international and meant to entertain anybody young or old. Physical strength and grace came together without hesitation. The quirky, the mystical, the sheer cheesy made the streets alive. I felt for one afternoon I was in performing art heaven.

Another act worth a mention was the physically demanding story of three friends who are destined to go their own ways. An innovative narration called ‘Until Now’ by the Swedish trio, Mimbre was filled with fluidity, rhythm and humour. The many flips, balancing acts and little surprises were more than captivating. It was quite a challenge to keep the audience stunned for 40 minutes, but they did it effortlessly. Their music score still hums in my head.

The day finished with the parade of the ‘Mr. Pejo's Wandering Dolls Decadence’. This harmless procession of absolute white beings carrying Chinese lanterns and a mysterious chariot that plays bell like sounds. As the white entities walked around the city they would run into you and look at you through their large masks leaving some of us scared or the likes of me amused.

The honesty of each performance and its proximity made it the entire Festival very special to me.
The Festival of Fools is exactly what it is...a celebration of all that is creative and absurd at first but meant to make one happy. This Festival is an effort to promote performing arts and sadly does not have funding. This only reminded me of the situation in India where theatre, classical dance and other non 'main stream' art is struggling. Alas.