The Script, Edition 12 - December 2010. Thespo 12 Special Edition

It's December. And that means only one thing - ITS THESPO TIME!!!!!!

This year Thespo is struggling to find support from the corporates and appeals to you help us save the festival! Become a Friend Of Thespo today!

From December 14th to 19th at Prithvi Theatre and NCPA Godrej Dance Theatre, we proudly present THESPO 12 - THEATRE STRIKES BACK!!!

Here's the lo-down on all that we have on offer at Thespo 12:

Friends Of Thespo (FOT):- Save Thespo! Become a FOT today.

T12 Schedule:- The festival at a glance

Workshops:- Masks, movement, materials, writing, inspirations, ideas, radio, dance. It's all here. From the UK, Canada and India. Register now. Entry Free.

Live Bands:- The Prithvi cafe comes alive every evening with live jazz, rock, alternative rock, etc. at Red Fm Band-o-Mast.

Thespo Fringe:- A brand new category at the festival. Watch no-frills performances every day free of cost.

Platform Performances:- A regular feature at Thespo where performers explore space, form and content.

Plays:- A delectable menu of all new writing exploring the past, the present, the future and the intangible!

To find out more like tickets, workshop registrations, or just how to be a part of India's Premier Youth Theatre Festival. Log on to our blog at http://thespo12.blogspot.com/

If you wish to be a part of TEAM THESPO - Its not Late!! You can still Volunteer in various capacities for Thespo 12. Mail thespo12@gmail.com.


So since this is Thespo Month, our The Script Edition is dedicated to all things Thespo. All our regular features will have a certain 'Thespo' air. Enjoy:

Trivia Time: About Thespis
Great Text: A reading at Thespo 12.
The President is Coming: We're Back and heading to Bangalore.
Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace: We're traveling again - This time to Ahmedabad.
Thespo 12: Its Here!! Its now!!! It Dozen get better than this!!!!!
Point of View: Priti Bakalkar reviews Quaff Theatre's 'Skeleton Woman'.
4 Corners: Kashin Shetty previews the 4 final plays of Thespo 12.
Dolly Thakore's 'Life in Theatre': Dolly Thakore recounts the beginnings of Thespo.
AK's Various Thoughts: The Various Thespoians of Akvarious.
Q's Countdown: Q counts 10 Thespo Memories.
Up & Coming: Details of the Final Four plays of Thespo 12, Platform Performances and Thespo Fringe.
Theatre Training: Details of Thespo 12 Workshops.
Other Theatre News: NCPA's festival 'Centre Stage' and Jan Natya Manch's festival 'Sarkash'.
Curtain Call: Quotes on Thespo.

Yours Sincerely,
On Behalf of Q Theatre Productions,

Himanshu.
Editor, The Script

Trivia Time - Thespis

Thespo originated from the name 'Thespis'. Here are some facts about Thespis.

Thespis of Icaria (present-day Dionysos, Greece) (6th century BC), according to certain Ancient Greek sources and especially Aristotle, was the first person ever to appear on stage as an actor playing a character in a play (instead of speaking as him or herself).

In other sources, he is said to have introduced the first principal actor in addition to the chorus.

According to Aristotle, writing nearly two centuries later, Thespis was a singer of dithyrambs (songs about stories from mythology with choric refrains).

Thespis supposedly introduced a new style in which one singer or actor performed the words of individual characters in the stories, distinguishing between the characters with the aid of different masks.

This new style was called tragedy, and Thespis was the most popular exponent of it. Eventually, on November 23, 534 BC, competitions to find the best tragedy were instituted at the City Dionysia in Athens, and Thespis won the first documented competition.

Capitalising on his success, Thespis also invented theatrical touring: he would tour various cities while carrying his costumes, masks and other props in a horse-drawn wagon.

It is implied that Thespis invented acting in the Western world, and that prior to his performances, no one had ever assumed the resemblance of another person for the purpose of storytelling: In fact, Thespis is the first known actor in written plays.

He may thus have had a substantial role in changing the way stories were said and inventing theatre as we know it today.

In reverence to Thespis, actors throughout western history have been referred to as thespians.

Great Text Reading - Read with us at Thespo 12

This month, the Great Text Reading will be a little different. Since its Thespo 12 time, we thought it would be good idea to integrate the two together.

In the month of December, we will hold a reading of Titas Halder's work in progress on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy as part of Thespo 12 Fringe.

Titas Halder has been researching and developing a piece surrounding the Bhopal Gas Tragedy which is scheduled to open in the UK sometime next year. The workshop, "Workshopping a Text" will give young actors an opportunity to be part of the building process of a play. It will culminate in this short dramatised performance, after which there will be a discussion with the audience to help further develop the play.

This staged reading is art of the Thespo Fringe showcase:-
On Tuesday 14 December 2010 at 7pm at Prithvi House.

Participants will include four actors. specifications coming soon.
For more details, visit http://thespo12.blogspot.com/p/thespo-fringe.html

The President is Coming to Bangalore!

Friday, 3rd December at 7:30pm
at Jnana Jyothi Auditorium, Central College Campus, Gandhi Nagar, Bangalore

The president may have skipped visiting Bangalore, but we are not. For the third time, the play has been invited to be a part of the Hindu Metro Theatre Fest and for the first time we perform in Bangalore.

The play stars Ratnabali Bhattacharjee, Shivani Tanksale, Namit Das, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Ira Dubey, Anand Tiwari, Satchit Puranik, Faezeh Jalali, and Anup Burte.

Written by Anuvab Pal. Directed by Kunaal Roy Kapur.

'In a dog-eat-dog world of young competitors, reality television and short-lived fame, this comedy explores a day in the life of 8 people will stop at nothing because 'THE PRESIDENT IS COMING'

Thespo Connection: Four of the cast have been actively involved in Thespo over the years. Anand Tiwari was first a stage hand at Thespo 99 and then in 2003 he won Outstanding Actor at Thespo Bangalore for 'Dhanda'. Namit Das was in 'The Shadow Box' in 2002 and 'Aashad Ka Ek Din' at Thespo 7 in 2005. Satchit Puranik has auditioned many times for Thespo over the years. Kunaal Roy Kapur performed in 'My Funny Valentine' in 2000 and was official Thespo photographer in 2001.

Friday, 3rd December at 7:30pm
at Jnana Jyothi Auditorium, Central College Campus, Gandhinagar, Bangalore

For tickets, book online: www.indianstage.in/events/mptf_bangalore.html

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

Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace - In Ahmedabad

Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace

8pm, Friday, 3rd December
at Prakash Auditorium, Ahmedabad

Our longest running play is on the road again. After Chennai and Bangalore a few months ago, now it's time for Ahmedabad. We are performing at Prakash Auditorium as part of the Times of India Festival.

Jayati Bhatia dons the green saree and performs 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.

Thespo Connection: Vivek Rao, who later became the Festival Director for Thespo 9 in 2007, was and still is an integral part of the production team for Khatijabai. He was also an actor as part of a platform performance at Thespo 6 in 2004. Also, the lighting director, Arghya Lahiri, had been instrumental in the formation of Thespo. He also directed for Thespo and won numerous Thespos for the same.

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 show is on:

Friday, 3rd of December
at 8 pm
at Prakash Auditorium

Thespo 12

www.thespo12.blogspot.com

Point of View - Priti Bakalkar reviews 'Skeleton Woman'

SKELETON WOMAN

“If I could start my life again, I would begin by changing my profession. I would rather live on a full stomach and an empty mind. Perhaps as a fisherman…” Interesting… Isn't it? Well, that is the underlying theme of Quaff Theatre's “Skeleton Woman”, directed by Nayantara Kotian, written and performed by Kalki Koechlin and Prashant Prakash.

The protagonist of the play, who is a writer (Prashant Prakash) is struggling with his ideas, trying to complete his stories/ novellas/ poems. He starts with unusual themes but is unable to complete them. Apart from being incomplete, all his creations have one thing in common "the Sea"! All his work is involves the Sea and fish. This has to do something with his being a fisherman in the past or his desire to be a fisherman! He is struggling to have a grasp on the reality and his imaginary world. Rather, he is not interested in having any connection with the real world. His wife (Kalki Koechlin) though not happy with his eccentric behaviour and his inability to stay connected with the real world or his inability to complete his stories and is annoyed by his obsession to the Sea and fish, is very supportive to him. She takes up odd jobs so that they can pay house rent and he can continue writing. She inspires him, she instigates him, she reprimands him, she plays odd games; all to help with his work but nothing seems to help.
The writer is so much entangled in his own world of fantasy that many a times he sees Sharks in their living room and there are times when he is visited by talking goose or for that matter a skeleton of a woman who drowned at the Sea. But the wife is always around to bring him back to the reality. However, at times even she craves for his attention. When she does not get that attention she tries all possible stunts including faking a pregnancy!

There were such innumerable banters between the two which were identifiable to the various couples sitting in the audience. They could identify themselves with the frustrations of expectations in a relationship. A lot of nudging and knowing smiles were being exchanged. There's a scene when the wife tells husband that she wants to discuss something that relates to her and during conversation the husband starts with his problems. After a couple of minutes the wife realises the direction the conversation is going in and stops the husband with a remark "I thought this was supposed to be about me, how did you come in?" Sounds familiar??!!

Finally, when the writer completed his story "A goose at the Sea", during an interview of the writer it is revealed that his wife had been dead for last two years. She drowned at the Sea two years back and since then he had been struggling with his work. All of a sudden we were hit by the reality. All the time what we thought a mix of reality and fantasy was actually the imagination of the writer. His attempt to keep his wife alive in his memories or a feeble attempt to cope up with his loneliness. All of a sudden the writer was no more annoying or whimsical or eccentric. He became a hero who is trying to fight his fears of loneliness. It's amazing insight to how fear of loneliness play tricks on human mind and at the same time how your conscientious can help you to stay afloat.

Suddenly, the play was not about the musings of the writer or about the wife. It went on a different philosophical plane. The reference to "The old man and the Sea" is so very apt. In a way the writer is Santiago, the fisherman of “The old man and the Sea”. However, the writer feels cheated because even though Santiago catches the biggest/ largest fish anyone had caught till then, in the end all he got ashore was a skeleton. It makes you think, ultimately what is success? You may hit upon biggest treasure but if you are not able to appreciate when you have it in your hands then all you get in the end is its skeleton. Thereafter, it all depends on how brave you are to let go, else the ghosts of what you lost on the way will keep haunting you.

It was a wonderful experience to watch this beautiful simple story based on an Inuit folk tale which has been wonderfully adapted by Kalki and Prashant. It had multiple deeper layers to it. And because it is their own creation, the actors were able to catch the subtleties of the story. Of course, it resulted in a beautiful performance. Generally, such kind of stories when narrated theatrically they have a static, a nano-second gap in transmission... But this was absolutely seamless. Therefore, entire audience was completely drawn in. May be, not all of us managed to fathom the deeper layers of the story then and there but everybody was involved in the story. The credit goes to the fantastic performance of Prashant and Kalki. They were absolutely adorable as a couple. They were so natural and pleasant as a breath of fresh air. Their performance was complemented by a beautiful set. And how can I not mention the lights (Sujay Saple) and music (Naren Chandawarkar). It captured each mood of the performance right from the word “Go”! The whole experience grows on you and stays with you.

Sad that this wonderful surreal piece cannot be experienced anymore as it was the last performance of the play on Sunday. The play began its journey with Thespo and just when Thespo 12 is about two weeks away, it ended its run. One chapter of epic “Thespo” is over… well, until it is re-opened.

4 Corners - Kashin Shetty previews the 4 plays for Thespo 12

THE FINAL FOUR

The ‘Final four’ in Thespo this year couldn’t possibly be any more different from each other. Take the first three from Pune for instance. All from the same city but what variety!

Tipping Point (Marathi):- 4 human beings in black spandex and white masks take on the forms of various computer parts and functions, sometimes morphing themselves into tables and chairs, sometimes making you stare in awe as they perform a complex series of “oh, that looks difficult” dance moves backed with some elegant music. The focus however is to tell a heart-warming story. A futuristic depiction of human relationships and the crumbling of Indian families.

My Goad Pune (Marathi):- What if the people of Pune got so conscious of what kind of people came to settle down there? What if they start conducting a ‘Pune Entrance Exam’ before letting newcomers in? What if 2 young men come together and write a play on such an issue? The result is ‘My Goad Pune’. A simple story, simply told, through the eyes of a simpleton from Satara who dreams of having a future in Pune, and the pains he has to face to pass this exams, and how he deals with the most dangerous thing in the world ….. Pune traffic !

Chakra (no language) :- From the team that gave us ‘Dalan’ in 2008, and ‘Geli Ekvees Varsha’ in 2009, Chakra is set in pre-historic times and re-creates the biggest moments of mankind; the invention of the wheel, and fire, but most importantly, the discovery of love, logic and understanding. Armed with a production design which can put any commercial theatre team to shame, realistic costumes, live music, an actual set, etc. These B.M.C.C. College students are going to take you back to when it all began !

And finally, from our own home ground (Bombay, for those who get confused easily)

Papier-Mache Petals (English):- A story about, finding love; understanding yourself; looking back but not letting it hold you back; destiny; parents; friends; laughter; life ! this and much more, as seen by 3 teenagers. With a great soundtrack (from a live band) and some rib tickling stand up comedy thrown in, theres so many things one can take back home from this play… and if nothing else, lessons on how to keep certain bodily airs in control, through song.

So there you have it! Variety, originality (yes, they are all original scripts), talent, earnestness, but most importantly, ‘entertainment’. Oh, you wont forget Thespo 12 too easily….. trust me.

Dolly Thakore's Life in the Theatre - Thespo Beginnings

Children of Thespo

It is Thespo time again. A very special time for me since Thespo was conceived on my carpet. And like one’s own offspring, I have seen it grow and taken pride in its evolution and development.

And this year I have given up my own shows of Vagina Monologues on Dec. 18 and 19, to be at the Thespo Awards.

Started when all of the organizers of Thespo were 19-years-old or thereabouts, for all participants under 25 years of age, I have seen the commitment and dedication of the original gang of Christopher Samuel, Nadir Khan, Toral Shah, Karl Alphonso, Arghya Lahiri, and of course Quasar.

While each one of them has grown in stature becoming corporate honchos and radio jockeys, and film and theatre directors – and Karl has gone on to become a Stage Manager in Oregon -- Thespo remains their priority.

I remember Christopher helping me edit the Brochure 2000 for the Films Division Documentary Film festival. His PR process began then I would like to think. He was so efficient and successful in dealing with the Films Division Babus…and we even received an award for the Brochure.

Karl is an everyday presence as his silhouette in a 2003 play MINORITIES adorns my balcony curtain.

Nadir will always remain my son from the play 'All My Sons' in which Quasar directed me. And for him I am DT with special hugs.

Arghya is the best director I have worked with in my advancing years. He directed me as Meg in 'The Birthday Party' – 26 years after I play sexy Lulu in the same play directed my Alyque Padamsee.

Toral is the brick that all of us have depended upon, and built our foundations on her single minded focused clear-headed support at all times. She keeps them all bonded – never forgetting birthdays and anniversaries, heartbreaks and separations, and stardom like for Anand Tiwari, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Amrita Puri.

Quasar has this favourite story of how I would not recognize one from the other. And it is true. One night I came home to find someone quietly working at the dining table. Presuming him to be Karl I walked through my tiny home and returned inquiring “where is Quasar”.

Thespo has grown – not only away from my carpet. No more do I spot my clothing and furniture on stage. It is true. There were so many of them staying over and working on theatre projects and Thespo at my home that I often mistook one for the other. Now I am accused of not remembering the hundreds who have joined the Thespo gang. There are so many Shwetas, Priyas, Vidhishas, Prernas, Poojas – and they are all young and lovely – flitting in and out of Thespo headquarters in Versova – that I often fail to put an exact name to them. To me they are Thespo children, and I love them.

Ak's Various Thoughts

FROM THESPO TO THE AKVARIUM

I have a Microsoft Excel file in which I maintain records of what I owe to members of our repertory for the shows they have done. As the outstanding amount grows, the frequency of visits to this file goes down, so as to avoid going into a depression. However, I opened it recently, avoided looking at the numeric values within and made an interesting observation. Of the 50 people that I pay / owe with the most regularity, 25 started their theatrical journeys with Thespo. Not including me, the paymaster, also a product of the same. This article, being a part of the Thespo edition of The Script, covers a few of these 25 principal players that have played parts in my life in the theatre.

Tahira Nath
I first saw this certifiably insane woman screaming her head off as Martha in the Thespo screening of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Her performance was uninhibited, passionate, and filled the room with a manic energy. It was also one of the strongest reasons that the play made it to the finals. A few days later, over lemonade at a suburban restaurant I discovered that her true personality was uninhibited, passionate, and filled the room with a manic energy. I was hooked. Not too long after I cast this queen of profanity to play Gulab Bai, the queen of nautanki in Afsaneh: Bai se Bioscope tak. It was a risk, but it paid off, and her brazen yet endearing portrayal won her a nomination for Best Actress at the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards. Today, with a Thespo for Best Supporting Actress (for Proof) under her belt, she is not only the actress I work the most with, but one of the strongest support systems that Akvarious Productions is blessed to have. She also runs her own theatre company, (ibid.), which produced both parts of Classic Milds.

Siddharth Kumar
If I didn’t know that Sid Kumar was genuinely a nervous wreck, I’d say he spent all his time trying to mimic Woody Allen. He is one of the funniest (sometimes inadvertently) and nicest people that I know. Also one of the finer actors I know. I saw him first at Thespo in The Shadow Box. He worked with me soon after, and then went back to act in Ends and Beginnings at Thespo. Then worked with me some more, and went back to put in another great performance in Confessions at Thespo. He then directed Damages, for Thespo, which qualified and firmly established how close his sensibility was to mine. And now to prove this, just last week I opened Sid’s fantastic first play as playwright – The Interview – which I directed. Basically, this lad’s growth has been so immense that I now work for him.

Kashin Shetty
Back when I was young, but still not young enough to do Thespo, I was called for the awards night to give out the Best Supporting Actor trophy. I did, to this young man, who had shown a lot of promise in a version of Kafka’s The Trial. We missed an opportunity to work together, he went on to direct Confessions – a rather fascinating but difficult play - with much competence for Thespo. He came back into my life with a bravura performance in the Thespo screening of Damages. Once he started with us, armed with his pet lion, he moved swiftly from replacement actor to production support to ballet dancer to masochistic music operator to little sardar to director (Proof, again for Thespo) to lead actor (recently, in The Interview). This year his Thespo life came full circle as he was chosen to be on the screening panel.

Microsoft Word has just indicated that I’m way over my word limit. Perhaps the editor will be more giving in this Thespo edition. Anyhow, here on the brief bios get briefer.

Anand Tiwari
Actor par excellence. He managed backstage for the big winner of the first Thespo. Set the stage on fire with his performance in Dhandha, also at Thespo. Towering over all the work he did with us was his performance as the transvestite Agrado in All About My Mother. Displayed some serious acting chops and great legs. Now a big star of stage and screen, no one quite has the audience eating out of their hands like he does. One of the ‘gifted’ ones.

Kshitee Jog
May her tribe increase. Again, like Anand, was part of Sadia, the big winner at the first Thespo. She worked with us soon after and took great pleasure in slapping me across the face in a handful of shows and umpteen rehearsals of Once There Was a Way. Then Mumbai theatre went through a terrible phase when she decided to quit for a while and do TV. Soon after she returned, and accompanied me on the Thespo screening panel. She was mobbed often during our cross country trip. She’s back now, working with the likes of Makrand Deshpande, and hopefully early next year, with me.

Divyang Thakkar
I first noticed him in Confessions. Then spotted him lurking in Whistling Woods. Then saw him shooting performances at Thespo. Then spent many nights with him shooting close to 60 corporate films in banks across the city. He now works with us rather regularly. His work on his characters already has a legendary status. While he is prone to strange and sexually deviant behavior on occasion, he is a very committed and focused young actor.

Nimrat Kaur
Bending the rules here. First saw her in a Kumar Sanu music video and developed a big crush on her. Then suddenly saw her march into Prithvi Café one evening. Yes, she marches. She seldom walks. Then saw her in that same screening of Damages. Which I finally went on to co-produce. The decision to do so was not independent of her presence. Her acting was also commendable, considering she picked up a Thespo for Best Actress. Of course, soon enough she became an integral part of our most successful, longest running production, All About Women. She is now a sought after theatre actress, and one of the few who can afford to be choosy!

Ali Fazal
Again, not exactly a Thespo product. I saw him first in Crab, in a role I was auditioned for. I think he scored a little higher in the looks department. But I noticed him, again, in Damages. He then went on to star in our production of Proof. His critics might say that he apes Naseeruddin Shah and Hugh Grant, but the fact is that he is a very fine actor. And that he actually apes Robert Downey Jr. On a serious note, Ali’s a hugely talented boy on his way to big things. And he’s fantastic in our production of A Guy Thing. And he’s a big hit with the ladies.

Himanshu Sitlani
This man was always connected. I saw him give a wonderfully subtle performance in the screening of Damages. An hour later he was sitting beside me watching the next play, which was technically competing with his. And taking photos. I knew then he was a force to reckon with. Then discovered that he edited The Script. Which meant he was the man with the power to slash my articles. I discovered an acting bug, and chose to exploit him. He played significant parts for me on stage, was a quick change artist and evolved fast. Just as we were beginning to depend on his skills (both on and off stage) to save Indian theatre, he migrated to Canada, to bring hope and strength to theatre people there. No wonder he is often referred to as He-Man. Well, here’s hoping that he comes back to Grayskull soon.

Karan Pandit
This is a bit of a footnote. This illegally young lad showed great resolve in All About My Mother. He then seduced me into giving him the lead role in The Interview, despite the fact that the play he last played lead in was rejected at the Thespo screenings. He also slyly managed to share the stage with the very man who rejected his Thespo play. We then discovered that we had met him before. He had been part of a play that I had trashed when I was on the panel. He chose to remain mute about that, and owing to my age, my memory failed me. When this came out, the reactions were strong. It was just short of a scandal. But he had a firm foothold by then and he smiled smugly. This boy will go far. And clearly, even failure in Thespo is a good career move.

Q's Countdown - Top Thespo Moments

It's been a long 12 years. And true to our earlier belief Thespo just dozen get any better. I look forward to each December. So as a special departure from the regular and keeping in the Thespo 12 theme, I am going to countdown 12 of my favourite memories. Please feel free to add your own or vote for your all time favourite. Here goes:

1. Thespo '99: Lesbian Lip Lock.
   Few adolescent experiences top that. Yes I was still an adolescent then. The Jai Hind college play The Miracle was a about a strange love triangle where the counsellor (the incredibly attractive Ramona Sunavala) is repairing a marriage between Frieshiaa Bomanbehram (also very attractive) and Rohit Bagai (equally attractive). The moment was the twist in the tail, when the counsellor/therapist suddenly seduces the wife and they exchange a very passionate kiss. It shocked the audience. But hardly anyone hooted because of the comfortable and beautiful way the moment it was created. Kudos girls!
   
   
2. Thespo 2000: Mel Gibson as the father.
   Something was annoying me about the deceased father's larger than life size photograph above the fireplace in the play Brothers. I couldn't quite make it out. It was familiar, yet not. Suddenly it hit me! It was a picture of Mel Gibson, with a moustache and texturing to make him look older. These were pre-photoshop days. At least we could say Mel Gibson was on stage at Thespo!
   
3. Thespo 3: This is not my psychosis.
   Our first true theatrical moment makes it to the list. Nostalgia Brand Chewing Gum from Bangalore was playing at the NGMA. The story is about a young couple who have split up after very intense relationship. The play happens over the guy's house warming dinner, where each part of relationship brings their present significant other. The action is regularly interrupted by the monologues of the two protagonists. In one such section, both characters are talking to the audience about how they hate the other person and their short comings. However they seem to be talking as though they are the other person. Just as the audience begins to think that this is quite weird, both characters in unison cry, 'This is not my psychosis', and cross to the other persons monologue spot and continue in their correct monologue or psychosis. Great moment.
   
   
4. Thespo 4: The Party Scene
   Easily one of my favourite moments in theatre. Incredibly difficult to do, so am not sure if this was design or happenstance. Still it was a brilliant moment. The play is mainly about 3 friends (no it's not written by Rahul da Cunha!). One who wants to kill himself. And the other two his best friends. There is however one scene where all his old college friends come to celebrate his birthday part. There must have been about 4 simultaneous conversations going on. And yet all were accessible to the audience. You could tune into one, and if you didn't like it follow another. One was about phone network, one about burning rubber and one about agreeing without actually listening. I watched the play three times and each time I tuned into a different conversation in the scene. And thus AKvarious was born!
   
   
5. Thespo 5: The end of Shatranj Ke Khiladi
   I actually didn't see this moment. But the impact it left on a close friend allows me to include it in the list. The production used Munshi Premchand's characters' obsession with chess as a metaphor for our modern day obsession with brands. In the final scene of the play brand logos was projected onto the solo actor. As he tried to rid himself of the logo by taking off a layer of clothing, another brand was projected on the next layer of clothing. Bit by bit he stripped until he was only in his underwear. With nothing else to take off, the logo was projected onto his skin. The play ended with him tearing away at his skin. This moved the Awards Night MC so much that he was a mumbling wreck in the interval changeover. Anything that can move someone like that, has to be a great moment.
   
   
6. Thespo 6: Woman being dragged across the space
   Sakharam Binder is a play known for it's violence towards women. But nothing prepared us for the opening of Sakharam Binder Retold. As the audience was still getting used to their seats and the houselights had still not dimmed; a woman runs into the NCPA Experimental from the audience being chased by a man. She takes shelter at the foot of the stage. He catches up with her. Swears at her. And then proceeds to drag her by the hair the full 45 feet to the exit from where they entered. We watched in horror. Unable to do anything. All this while the audience lights were still up. It made for an incredibly 'realistic' moment, before the artifice of the theatre took over with the play.
   
   
7. Thespo 7: Don't want to be a politician baby, don't want to be a chuth
   The whole year belonged to Butter & Mashed Banana. It was really quite the runaway hit. And it was simple. In form it should have been a street play, but in content it was biting satire at it's best. The above line is from their seminal song which the three actors sang in their white dhotis, sitting by a pink bucket, strumming a guitar. Simple and effective. Lovely.
8. Thespo 8: Middle initial 'K'
   One of the funniest moments of Confessions had to be when the protagonist is being asked his name by the fearsome interrogators. He is asked his first name? It is 'Katurian'. His last name: 'Katurian'. His middle initial? 'K'. Topolski then says, your name is Katurian Katurian Katurian? The audience held their sides with laughter. Lovely moment, well played.
   
   
9. Thespo 9: Split personality
   In the middle of Ayushyamaan, Ninad Limaye's character goes to watch a play. During the performance he sees himself as one of the actors. To convey this Pratap Phad, the director, chose to have both the 'actor' and Ninad do the same actions. The synchronisation was immaculate. And just when we as an audience were wondering what was going on, the synchornised performance broke and Ninad ran out of the 'theatre'.
   
   
10. Thespo X: There's only a little left
    The story is of Dalan is about a school master who tries to seduce a students mother. He visits her at her home and finally gets her alone. Just then a nosy neighbour comes to visit. In panic the master is disguised as an old woman in a saree who has come in to grind the wheat in a stone grinder/dalan/chakkee. After many hours and almost discovering the truth, the neighbour leaves. The wife then asks the schoolmaster to stop. To which he say, "There's only a little left, I might as well finish it.". Amey Wagh in a saree and grinding wheat is among the enduring images of 2008.
    
    
11. Thespo 11: Potential Voylence!
    Each scene in the Institute of Pavtalogy is about training the students in the various forms of gangsterhood. One such is the violence lecture. The teacher comes in and hit a student. The class is stunned. "Violence" he proclaims. A little later, he picks up a chair and threatens to drop it on another student. The kids shriek and recoil in horror. He freezes. "Potential violence!". A hilarious moment.
    
    
12. Zohra Aapa at Thespo 5
    The last one on my countdown is not an under 25 performance. It is an over 90 performance. Aapa was 90 years old then. As she received the Lifetime Achievement Award, the entire audience stood as one. Then a cry came out, "Aapa abhi to main jawan hoon!'". She smiled. Asked for a chair and then went on to perform the 10 minute poem. It was a performance that spoke volumes. It was nuanced, entertaining and yet powerful. The eruption when she finished deafened every body. No one was the same after that night. And neither was Thespo.

So that's the 12. Let me know what you think. And if you have any you disagree with. Let's be controversial!

Up & Coming - Thespo 12 Schedule

After a nation wide search of more than 8 cities and watching more than 80 plays, this year screening judges, Kashin Shetty and Quasar Thakore Padamsee, picked the final 4 full length plays that will be a part of Thespo 12.


Tuesday, 14th December

Thespo Fringe at Prithvi House at 7pm: Workshopping a Text - Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Four actors will help Titus Hadler workshop a piece on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and present it to the audience for feedback.

Platform Performance at Prithvi Theatre Foyer at 8pm: 180 Degrees

Main Performance at Prithvi Theatre at 9pm: CHAKRA
A Natak Company Presentation.

Chakra is the struggle of the ancient man. Set in a pre-historic era, it gives an insight on a fantastic way into the life of the pre-historic man. The way he evolved, his battle to survive, his hunger to explore and learn, which has never diminished. It fantasizes about the invention of the wheel, the importance of which he might not even have realized at that time. CHAKRA is the story of a lifecycle, the story of evolution, discovering human emotions, which has helped man see the light of the 21st century.

Cast : Siddharth Menon, Madhura Jugade, Siddhesh Purkar, Gautam Raddi, Meera Krishnan, Anuj Deshpande, Abhay Mahajan, Ravi Chaudhari and Tushar Tengale

Writer & Director: Abhay Mahajan


Wednesday, 15th December

Thespo Fringe at Prithvi House at 7pm: Come to Where I Come From
Four writers talk about how the urban jungle of Mumbai has shaped them.

Platform Performance at Prithvi Foyer at 8pm: Two

Main Performance at Prithvi Theatre at 9pm: PAPIER - MACHE - PETALS
A Bread and Butter Ent's Presentation

Would you never read a book for fear of the story ending? Would you never eat a chocolate because all you would be left with is a sweet-stained crumpled wrapper? Would you never buy a bouquet for the withering petals take with them secrets of the blossoms? Mahir, Reena and Abeer are three sides of the same coin. They are not who they seem and yet are true to their emotions. Lost in a funny line, found in a broken heart and lost again in a heap of torn petals, the three learn that the greatest redemption is moving on.

Cast : Aadar Malik, Vivek, Avinash, Vasuda, Medha and others

Writer and Director: Medha


Thursday, 16th December

Thespo Fringe at Prithvi House at 7pm: Nalli Ke Kutte
Two soldiers from rivals nations get caught in their own fight, and forget about the battle.

Platform Performance at Prithvi Foyer at 8pm: Jaago Jaago

Main Performance at Prithvi Theatre at 9pm: MY GOAD PUNE...
A M.M.C.C. Art Circle Pune Presentation

Young Vaibhav leaves his small village to follow his dreams and desires in the big city of Pune. He is horrified to find that in order to become a Pune-kar, he has to sit for the PEE (Pune Entrance Exam). What follows is a hilarious journey of how Vaibhav goes from small town simpleton, to powerful Pune-kar. We follow his comic exploits at restaurants, red signals and at the coaching classes. Find out if Vaibhav makes it or not...

Cast : Chinmay Kulkarni & Tejpal Wagh

Writer and Director: Chinmay Kulkarni & Tejpal Wagh


Friday, 17th December

Thespo Fringe at Prithvi House at 7pm: Spiral Bound
A group of actors are woven in the web of mistaken identity.

Platform Performance at Prithvi Foyer at 8pm: Maryada

Main Performance at Prithvi Theatre at 9pm: TIPPING POINT
A GRM Presentation

It is 2050. An age of organic computers. A company has developed a unique solution to the lack of time spent with loved ones – hire a proxy to spend time with them online. Agent G35 is one such proxy struggling to balance reality with his fake professional relationships. Will he be able to do it or has he reached his tipping point?

Cast : Shrikar Pitre, Akshay Salunke, Rutuja Shinde, Sneha Salve, Sushant Kulkarni, Amogh Annigeri, Hrushikesh Bhagwat and Sohum Bilawal Joshi

Writer and Director: Gashmeer Mahajani

Saturday, 18th December

Platform Performance at 6:15pm: Kab Jaayega Bharat

Main Performance at NCPA Godrej Dance Theatre at 7pm: My Goad Pune...
A M.M.C.C. Art Circle Pune Presentation

Young Vaibhav leaves his small village to follow his dreams and desires in the big city of Pune. He is horrified to find that in order to become a Pune-kar, he has to sit for the PEE (Pune Entrance Exam). What follows is a hilarious journey of how Vaibhav goes from small town simpleton, to powerful Pune-kar. We follow his comic exploits at restaurants, red signals and at the coaching classes. Find out if Vaibhav makes it or not...

Cast : Chinmay Kulkarni & Tejpal Wagh

Writer and Director: Chinmay Kulkarni & Tejpal Wagh


Sunday, 19th December

Platform Performance at 6:15pm: Maryada

Main Performance at NCPA Godrej Dance Theatre at 7pm: Tipping Point
A GRM Presentation

It is 2050. An age of organic computers. A company has developed a unique solution to the lack of time spent with loved ones – hire a proxy to spend time with them online. Agent G35 is one such proxy struggling to balance reality with his fake professional relationships. Will he be able to do it or has he reached his tipping point?

Cast : Shrikar Pitre, Akshay Salunke, Rutuja Shinde, Sneha Salve, Sushant Kulkarni, Amogh Annigeri, Hrushikesh Bhagwat and Sohum Bilawal Joshi

Writer and Director: Gashmeer Mahajani

Theatre Training - Thespo 12 Workshops

Thespo 12 presents Theatre Workshops from different parts of the globe!

This year, Thespo presents innovative workshops from various corners of the world. The workshops would be conducted by Ravi Jain from Canada, Jack Lowe, Sophie Larsmon, Titas Halder from the UK and our very own RJ Neil from Red Fm. From devising theatre, to exploring theatre to dance performances, to mask work, to writing workshops, we've got it all!

Be there to learn interesting aspects of theatre and register now!

1) 180 Degrees by Jack Lowe.

Jack Lowe, trained at Ecole Jacques LeCoq and is training on the MFA Theatre Directing course at Birkbeck. He is currently the Artistic Director of the Curious Directive ensemble and Trainee Director at Paines Plough. www.painesplough.com / www.curiousdirective.com

About: What will we discover in the room? 3 intricately connected stories of unconditional love, biology and the Universe. This is a lead-up workshop to the festival, where 10 dancers/actors will work it out to create a 10-15 minute performance at the festival. This will be a Platform Performance on the 14th of December 8pm, at Prithvi Cafe.

We need 3 dancers of different dance disciplines and 7 actors/dancers as chorus. Do send in your CVs at thespo12@gmail.com

Date: 5th Dec to 13th Dec
Time: Depends on the 4 hours that is convenient to the selected actors/dancers.
Venue: Dhananjay, near fun republic.
Deposit: 1000/- (This amount would be returned to you, once you have attended all the sessions of the workshop)
Last Date of Registration: 1st December 2010

Contact: thespo12@gmail.com or call Vidisha on +91 9867562859

2) Discovering the Mask by Ravi Jain.

Ravi Jain, Artistic Director of a Toronto-based theatre company, Why Not Theatre, will be conducting a workshop on Mask Work. www.theatrewhynot.org
In addition to producing and touring new work, education and community building remain fundamental aspects of this company.

About: This 4 day workshop is an introduction into the work of Jacques Lecoq via mask, mime and play. Through introductory excersises with the masks, participants will learn the precision and energy required for masked play. Through games, body work and improvisations we will explore the actor's expressive body and desire to play.

The participants need to wear comfortable clothing, shirts with no logos or designs on them, no jeans, preferably all black and get their own water.

Date:14th Dec - 17th Dec
Time: 10am to 2pm
Venue: Prithvi House.
Deposit: 500/- (This amount would be returned to you, once you have attended ALL the sessions of the workshop)
Last Date of Registration: 10th December 2010
Contact: thespo12@gmail.com or call Kannagi on +91 9920420500

3) The World of Materials by Jack Lowe.

About: Which materials are the most interesting and why? What inspires the way we move? From elastic bands to tin foil, the dynamics of materials are grounded in something very real and very poetic. Come and unravel the paper around the movement of materials.

It would be great if the participants have an interest in movement, dance background, devised theatre background.

Date: 14th Dec
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Venue: Prithvi House.
Deposit: 300/- (This amount would be returned to you, once you have attended the workshop)
Last Date of Registration: 10th December 2010
Contact: thespo12@gmail.com or call Megha on +91 9322232451

4) Workshopping a Text by Titas Halder

Titas is the Resident Assistant Director at the Donmar Warehouse 2010-2011 and a Creative Associate at the Bush Theatre. Formerly Literary Associate at the Finborough Theatre. As writer, Titas trained on the Royal Court Theatre's Critical Mass programme. www.donmarwarehouse.com

About: Titas has written a piece on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and would like to workshop it with 4 actors and perform it in front of an audience and receive feedback. The performance will be a part of the Thespo Fringe.

Participants will include four actors. specifications coming soon.

Date: 14th Dec
Time: All day
Venue: Still to be decided
Deposit: 500/- (This amount would be returned to you, once you have attended the workshop)
Last Date of Registration: 3rd December 2010
Contact: thespo12@gmail.com or call Vidisha on +91 9867562859


5) Devising Theatre : The First Seed by Jack Lowe.

About: Where should I begin? An indea in the middle of the night, a novel or a painting? This workshop leads the participant into the dark unknown of devised theatre and searches for the light switch.

All the participants need to bring a story, a painting, an object or a song with them that inspires them.

Date: 15th Dec
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Venue: Prithvi House.
Deposit: 300/- (This amount would be returned to you, once you have attended the workshop)
Last Date of Registration: 10th December 2010
Contact: thespo12@gmail.com or call Megha on +91 9322232451


6) Writing for the Stage by Sophie Larsmon

Sophie has recently completed an MA in Creative Producing for Theatre & Live Performance at Birkbeck College, University of London. She is now a freelance producer and director. Sophie has worked in different creative capacities for various UK theatre companies including Cardboard Citizens, Shared Experience, Tamasha and York Theatre Royal and has also worked for the Diversity Team at Arts Council England.

About: This workshop introduces the writers to the new writing culture in the UK and also go through the building blocks of playwriting. The second half would be about going through newspapers and discussing ideas and what inspired them in those. Later they would write a short piece, based on what they learnt at the workshop (they can go anywhere they feel inspired, for this) and meet again to read those pieces.

Date: 15th Dec
Time: 11:30am to 5pm
Venue: Still to be decided
Deposit: 300/- (This amount would be returned to you, once you have attended the workshop)
Last Date of Registration: 10th December 2010
Contact: thespo12@gmail.com or call Kannagi on +91 9920420500

7) Come To Where I Come From

Over the past 6 months, sixty one playwrights from across the UK returned to their home towns to write plays about the places that shaped them.

At 14 theatres from Bristol to Belfast, Cardiff to Coventry and Nottingham to Newcastle, these plays were performed by the playwrights themselves, coming home to tell their tale.
Come To Where I'm From is a theatrical tapestry of the UK, woven by writers asking if home is really where the heart is

About: Four young writers will be given an opportunity to write a 10 minute monologue about where they are from. The monologues will be performed at the festival.

Date: 15th Dec
Time: 11:30am to 5pm
Venue: Still to be decided
Deposit: 300/- (This amount would be returned to you, once you have attended the workshop)
Contact: thespo12@gmail.com or call Vidisha on +91 9867562859


8) RJ Workshop by RJ Neil of Red Fm.

About: This workshop to be conducted by RJ Neil of Red FM, who would be talking about the different aspects of radio jockeying (RJing), the necessary skills and how to make a career out of it.

Date: 16th Dec
Time: 3pm to 5pm
Venue: Prithvi House
Deposit: 300/- (This amount would be returned to you, once you have attended the workshop)
Last Date of Registration: 10th December 2010.
Contact: thespo12@gmail.com or call Megha on +91 9322232451