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Feast for theatre buffs

The MetroPlus Theatre Festival at Chennai next month has variety and a big line up

HIGH DRAMA Some scenes from the plays that will be staged at the Theatre Festival being rehearsed. From left, 'Thicker Than Blood', 'Macbeth' and 'Othello'

Indian theatre in English is making itself comfortable on stages, masala chai, desi accent et al, while even British and American works are being adapted and `Indianised' by enterprising young directors. It couldn't be a better time to stage The Hindu MetroPlus Theatre Festival. The festival, which was launched in 2005 in Chennai, and is set to becoming an important date in the theatrical calendar, was received with such enthusiasm last year that there was no doubt it had to come back: bigger and better. Auditoriums were packed, venues buzzed and, most importantly, Chennai became a gracious and enthusiastic host to the biggest festival of this kind in the country. So, this year, we go international. Escape Theatre, a professional theatre group from Singapore will stage "A Very British Affair," a revue — another first for the festival. The production promises to bring together everything from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Kylie Minogue in one hilarious, musical, extravagant sweep.

We have also scouted the country to bring you an interesting selection of contemporary Indian theatre, resulting in a line-up that includes theatre groups from five Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore andChennai.

Each of these groups is putting its best foot forward. The result is an impressively eclectic mix, which ranges from comic giggle-fests such as Q Theatre Productions' "Beyond Therapy" to thought-provoking entries like the moving "Valley Song" written by Athol Fugard, South Africa's leading playwright, interspersed with simple hymns.

Shakespeare reinvented

Of course, there's Shakespeare, slickly reinvented. The thoughtful and award winning "Othello A Play In Black and White" translates and adapts the Bard's work into contemporary theatre, while adman Alyque Padamsee brings us a lush and extravagant "Macbeth", one that draws parallels between Tantric rituals and European witchcraft.

Appropriately enough, the collection also features the work of an Indian playwright.

And even though Asif Currimbhoy's "Goa", with its political overtones, is set in 1961, it addresses issues that are still relevant to the socio-political climate of present-day India.

Oldest theatre group

The Madras Players — which at 50 is probably the country's oldest theatre group promoting theatre in English — is staging "The Shadow Box." The Boardwalkers, which consistently picks and promotes young talent from the city colleges, will be putting up "Amadeus."

And finally, Theatre Nisha, a promising new entrant to the festival, has chosen to feature the Sri Lankan play, "Thicker Than Blood."

The festival is presented by Bose. Associate sponsors are Airtel and HSBC Bank. Lifestyle Associate: Royal Challenge Golf Accessories. Travel partner: Jet Airways. Hospitality partner: The Park, Chennai.

SHONALI MUTHALALY

Festival Schedule

August 4:

A Very British Affair — Escape Theatre, Singapore
Directed by Mark Waite and Samantha Scott-Blackhall

August 5:

The Shadow Box — Madras Players, Chennai
Directed by Mithran Devanesan

August 6:

Othello: A Play in Black and White — Can and Abel Theatres, New Delhi
Directed by Roysten Abel

August 9:

Valley Song — Artistes' Repertory Theatre, Bangalore
Directed by Arundhati Raja

August 10:

Macbeth — ACE Productions, Mumbai
Directed by Alyque Padamsee

August 11:

Amadeus — Boardwalkers, Chennai
Directed by Michael Muthu

August 12:

Thicker Than Blood — Theatre Nisha,
Chennai
Directed by V. Balakrishnan

August 13:

Goa — Theatrecian, Kolkata
Directed by Shuktara Lal

August 14:

Beyond Therapy — Q Theatre Productions, Mumbai
Directed by Nadir Khan

Tickets

Those who want to see the plays can get their tickets at Chennai. They are available at Landmark (Nungambakkam, Spencer Plaza and Citi Center) or you could log on to www.hindu.com/theatrefest or call 098402-22363. Season passes are priced at Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 1,500. Tickets are priced at Rs. 500, Rs. 250 and Rs. 100. Students can enjoy 50 per cent off on tickets priced at Rs. 100 only at the venue on show dates. All the plays will be staged at the Music Academy from August 4-14, 7.15 p.m.

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