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Friday, Aug 07, 2009
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Playtime again in Chennai

Divya Kumar

— Photo: S.S. Kumar

Actor-director Naseeruddin Shah speaks at the launch of The Hindu MetroPlus Theatre Fest 2009 in Chennai on Thursday.

CHENNAI: The Hindu MetroPlus Theatre Fest has developed a personality of its own and found its niche in the calendar of India’s cultural events, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, said here on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch party of the fifth edition of the festival at The Park hotel, he said: “Practitioners of English theatre across the country – including in cities where The Hindu does not print – have some knowledge of this annual celebration and showcasing of theatre.”

“We are young as theatre events go… [But] there are enough indications that over half a decade the MetroPlus Theatre Fest has hit its stride,” he said.

He noted that this edition of the festival has been put together in spite of the recession, when sponsorships are hard to find for activities such as theatre.

The festival opens on August 7 with ‘Antigone,’ by the Mumbai-based group Motley. The play has a star-studded cast including Naseeruddin Shah, his wife Ratna Pathak Shah, and Benjamin Gilani.

Addressing the gathering at the launch party, Naseeruddin said: “Motley was formed by Benjamin and myself 30 years ago, and our work has been gravitating increasingly towards simplicity. The words are of utmost importance, and the actor and the words together conjure the magic of theatre, rather than trying to create earthquakes, floods and forest fires on stage.”

Other Indian productions at this year’s Fest include ‘Hamlet – The Clown Prince’ by Mumbai’s Cinematograph, and ‘Chicago’ by Chennai’s Stagefright Productions. The winner of the MetroPlus Playwright Award 2009, ‘The Skeleton Woman’, written by Prashant Prakash and Kalki Koechlin, will be staged on August 15.

Bringing an international flavour to the event is ‘Citizen Josh’ from the U.S., and ‘Medea and its Double’ by Seoul Factory for the Performing Arts from Korea, set for the finale.

Allied activities at the venue will include different bands performing each day, and a display of artwork by A.V. Ilango’s Artspace. A food court will be offered by Oriental Cuisines.

The party was attended by a number of theatre personalities and theatre-lovers from the city.

They stayed on to enjoy the Mediterranean-themed dinner provided by The Park, and the music of Molotov Cocktail.

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