The Script, February 2010 - Issue 2

Hello!

The chill continues across the country. But the theatre scene is hot as ever. The month of February see's Bijon Mondal donning the director's hat once again with 'Andha Yug - A Fusion' at the Prithvi Theatre. Also this month, the new hit 'S*x, M*rality and Cens*rship' returns for a full week run at Prithvi and Akvarious Productions will present 4 plays from their repertory at the NCPA Experimental. February also means its time for the Kala Ghoda Festival which will run from the 6th to the 14th of February.

On the QTP Front, Thespo at Prithvi will showcase Jester Productions 'Equus' on the 2nd & 3rd of February. Also, our play Some Girl(s) will be on at the NCPA Experimental on the 27th and 28th of February. Our Great Text reading is also happening on the 22nd of February. Our 'After Hours' continues this month as well in Sion.

In this month's edition, Akarsh Khurana gives a low-down on what happened in January and watch out in the Great Stuff section for lots of interesting workshops.

Trivia Time: Theatrical Philosophy.
Some Girl(s): More shows of our new play!.
Thespo at Prithvi: A staging of Equus!
After Hours: Theatre Workshop in Sion
Great Texts: What are we going to read next month?
AK's Various Thoughts: Tea, Travel and Theatre.
Great Stuff: Workshops and Audition Call!!
Up & Coming: Complete schedule of what to catch in February.
Curtain Call: John Berger on the nature of theatre.

Yours Sincerely,
On Behalf of Q Theatre Productions,

Himanshu.
Editor, The Script.

Trivia Time - Theatre Philosophy

THEATRICAL PHILOSOPHY

There is a variety of philosophies, artistic processes, and theatrical approaches to creating plays and drama.

According to Aristotle's seminal theatrical critique Poetics, there are six elements necessary for theatre: Plot, Character, Idea, Language, Music, and Spectacle.

The 17th century Spanish writer Lope de Vega wrote that for theatre one needs "three boards, two actors, and one passion".

Others notable for their contribution to theatrical philosophy are Konstantin Stanislavski, Antonin Artaud, Bertolt Brecht, Orson Welles, Peter Brook, and Jerzy Grotowski.

Konstantin Stanislavski is considered to be the father of theater technique, as he was the first person to ever write about it, and the majority of modern western theatre theory is derived from Stanislavski's "system" in one form or another.

Some Girl(s) - We're Back!!

SOME GIRL(S)

NCPA Experimental
Saturday, 27th February at 7pm

Sunday, 28th February at 7pm

We're back!! 3 months after our last show in Bombay, we are proud to present more shows of our 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.

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

To watch an inside look of the play, Click Here

Tickets Rs.250/- Only

To book tickets call on 39895050 or log on to: http://www.bookmyshow.com/

Our show dates are:

Saturday, 27th February at 7pm and

Sunday, 28th February at 7pm

at NCPA Experimental.

Thespo at Prithvi

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 January 2010 saw Natak Company's 3 Award Winning Plays at Prithvi once again. Dalan (Outstanding Play at Thespo X in 2008), Institute of Pavtalogy (Outstanding Supporting Actor at Thespo 11 in 2009) and Geli Ekwees Varsha (Outstanding Play at Thespo 11 in 2009).

Although the turnout was low in all the shows, the performances put up by the entire cast showed why they are one of the biggest upcoming theatre groups of the country. Audience were in splits and the post show comments were very heart-warming. We would like to thank everyone who came for the show.

THESPO AT PRITHVI IN FEBRUARY

Jester Productions presents
EQUUS


Written by Peter Shaffer.
Directed by Daniel D'Souza

Tue, 2nd February and Wed, 3rd February at 9pm

The play tells the story of a psychiatrist, who attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological, religious and sexual fascination with horses. In the process, he is forced to take a look at this own life and his duty to society as a psychiatrist.

With Eamonn Ennis, Daniel Dsouza, Nakul Jayadevan, Rebecca Spurgeon, Vikrant Dhote, Mansi Multani, Jason Menezes, Gautmik and Nishtha Bhargava.

Tickets now Available. Call 26149546 or www.bookmyshow.com

After Hours Theatre Workshop

'After Hours' Theatre Workshop:

In keeping with our commitment to promote art, after 6 successful & path-breaking years in dance & fitness, Arts in Motion proudly presents the ARTS IN MOTION THEATRE, a comprehensive experience involving theatre performances, acting, voice modulations, body language, script writing, direction, etc. to be conducted by Quasar Thakore Padamsee.

Arts in Motion Theatre will offer from time to time various modules.short courses, recreational classes, beginner & advance acting workshops, short plays etc, by prominent theatre companies from India & abroad as well as by stalwart theatre, television & film artists, attaching its very own recognized stamp of quality to the course.

'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. Held in association with Q Theatre Productions, 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 13th Feb and will be held for a duration of 4 weeks, 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 4 weekends, starting from 14th of February 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, 13^th February 2010.

What do I need to bring?

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

Great Text - 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 January, we read "Red Light Winter" by Adam Rapp.

The play is about two college friends who spend a wild, unforgettable evening in Amsterdam's Red Light District with a beautiful young prostitute. They find that their lives have changed forever when their bizarre love triangle plays out in unexpected way a year later in the East Village.

About a dozen readers showed up for a 3 character play about sex, prostitution and hurting the one you love. The play, despite being morbidly funny, ended up being very cliched and towards the end just very long without driving the plot forward. Although many felt that the play had a modern vibe to it, but many also felt it fell into a good old melodramatic moment.

In the month of February, we will be reading Federico Garcia Lorca's "Blood Wedding".

Orginally titled 'Bodas de Sanga', A classic of twentieth-century theatre, the story is based on a newspaper fragment which told of a family vendetta and a bride who ran away with the son of the enemy family. Lorca uses it to investigate the subjects which fascinated him: desire, repression, ritual, and the constraints and commitments of the rural Spanish community in which the play is rooted.


We will be reading it on the 22nd of February 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.

Ak's Various Thoughts

TEA, TRAVEL AND THEATRE

Jokes apart, I’m writing this article surrounded by 18 rowdy theatre practitioners, on board the Kashi Express, which is hurtling towards Bareilly from New Delhi station. Which we got to after a 17-hour train journey from Mumbai. Two shows are lined up in the harsh Bareilly winter for a horde of theatre hungry doctors. The lead actress of one of our plays, however, is getting her cousin married back home, and will brave foggy skies to make it to the show only minutes before its scheduled start. Meanwhile a twenty-minute duologue is being prepared by two co-passengers, to buy her some time, if the need arises. The stuff we do for the sake of theatre.

2010 has started on a pretty busy note for us. After a successful show at IIT Powai (the most giving audience in the city) and a surprisingly good run at Prithvi, some members of the group communed with various members from the theatre fraternity for a multi-city corporate theatre event. As someone quipped, four or five Mumbai theatre groups came together with much joy to sell tea to North India.

Anyhow, a fifteen-minute song and dance routine was rehearsed and readied. By two separate teams, for simultaneous events. The teams set off. One to the chill of Patna. The other to the greater chill of Lucknow. And then all hell broke loose. Weather played foul. The main event lined up the next day in Bhopal got seriously jeopardized. To cut a long story short:

The Patna team flew back to Mumbai and minutes later flew off to Bhopal.

A new crack team from Mumbai flew to Bhopal as Plan B.

The Lucknow team got into a rickety jeep and tried to brave zero visibility and the vicious Chambal ravines, by night, to make it in time. They didn’t. Not till 10 hours after the event finished.

Eventually, the show went on, as it must. And much tea was spoken about and drunk.

Another fraternity building exercise took place in Mumbai. Seven directors, ten writers and several actors were brought together by the Rage trio (Rahul, Rajit, Shernaz) for an evening of short plays titled One onOne. The plays covered a wide range of subjects: Indian bureaucracy, homophobia, widowhood, air travel, and the many aspects of politics, and Bombay… sorry, Mumbai. I got to direct one of the pieces, and was very fortunate to get a fantastic text, and two gifted actors.

In the midst of all this mayhem, I managed to watch two plays. First, I finally managed to catch Geli Ekvees Varsha. It had featured in the top five plays of 2009 in my little poll last month, and I’m glad to sayit rightfully deserved that place. It featured a strikingly insightful script, visionary direction and a riveting performance by Amey Wagh, an actor full of pleasant surprises. I also managed to catch Manav Kaul’s latest, Red Sparrow. A stylish, high-energy production densely populated with literary references (from the works of Nirmal Verma to The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), most of which were too obscure for the average audience member. As such, a lot of people walked out dazzled by the design, but baffled by the content.

So January has been jam packed, and February promises to be fairly full for us too, what with Bareilly, the Kala Ghoda Festival, Kolkata and more shows in Mumbai lined up. Opening in February, among other plays, is Ranga Theatre’s new production (after Karna – The Generous Warrior and The Life of Pi) – their take on Dharmvir Bharti’s timeless classic about the Mahabharata – Andha Yug – directed by Bijon Mandal. Featuring Trishla Patel as Gandhari, this could be the cream of the February theatrical crop.

Up & Coming - Plays 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!

Tuesday, 2^nd February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : EQUUS

The play tells the story of a psychiatrist, who attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological religious and sexual fascination with horses. In the process he is forced to take a look at his own life and his duty to society as a psychiatrist.

Wednesday, 3^rd February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : EQUUS

A Jester Presentation.

Written by Peter Shaffer. Directed by Daniel DSouza.

With Eamonn Ennis, Daniel Dsouza, Nakul Jayadevan, Rebecca Spurgeon, Vikrant Dhote, Mansi Multani, Jason Menezes, Gautmik and Nishtha Bhargava.

Thursday, 4^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : JIS LAHORE NAHIN DEKHYA

An Ank Presentation.

Friday, 5^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : JIS LAHORE NAHIN DEKHYA

With Preeta Mathur, Aman Gupta, Dharmesh Tiwari and others.

Saturday, 6^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 6 & 9pm : HAI MERA DIL

A hypochondriac of a husband is so convinced that he is going to die soon of a serious heart ailment that he starts to plan his beloved but innocent wife’s marriage in the upcoming eventuality.

Horniman Circle Garden – 7:30pm : DANCE LIKE A MAN

Directed by Lillette Dubey.

NGMA Auditorium – 7:30pm : CHAKRADHAARI AKHBAARWALA

Presented by Virat Kadolbhav

Sunday, 7^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 6 & 9pm : HAI MERA DIL

Directed by Dinesh Thakur.

Monday, 8^th February

NGMA Auditorium – 6pm : MUNSHI PREMCHAND STORIES

Presented by Mujeeb Khan.

NGMA Auditorium – 7:30pm : DAMAGES

A witty little thriller set in the office of a tabloid newspaper, filled with twists and turns. Humour, betrayal, controversy, and some nudity!

Tuesday, 9^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : SAAT TERI EKVEES

7 monologues which unfolds subjects like surrogate mother, Laxman’s wife Urmila, human clone, an uncommon story of a common man, frustration of a middle class wife after victory , Kasper Hauser and an Unwritten poetry

NGMA Auditorium – 6pm : MUNSHI PREMCHAND STORIES

Presented by Mujeeb Khan.

Horniman Circle Garden – 7pm : MAARI BAIRI JER

Presented by Sam Kerawalla

NGMA Auditorium – 7pm : KANUPRIYA

Presented by Shruti Vaidya.

NGMA Auditorium – 8pm : THE LABOROTORY

Written and Directed by Shivani Tibrewala.

Wednesday, 10^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : SAAT TERI EKVEES

A Manhar Gadhia Presentation.

NGMA Auditorium – 6pm : MUNSHI PREMCHAND STORIES

Presented by Mujeeb Khan.

NGMA Auditorium – 7pm : THE DIARY

Presented by Last Minute Productions.

Horniman Circle Garden – 7pm : CHANAKYA

Presented by Manoj Joshi

Thursday, 11^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : S*X, M*RALITY & CENS*RSHIP

A modern seduction of ideas exploring one of the most controversial issues of our time – morality and censorship.

NGMA Auditorium – 6pm :MUNSHI PREMCHAND STORIES

Presented by Mujeeb Khan.

NGMA Auditorium – 7:30pm : THE SUNSHINE BOYS

Directed by Percival Billimoria.

Friday, 12^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : S*X, M*RALITY & CENS*RSHIP

An Arpana Presentation.

NGMA Auditorium – 6pm : MUNSHI PREMCHAND STORIES

Presented by Mujeeb Khan.

NGMA Auditorium – 7:30pm : THE SUNSHINE BOYS

Directed by Percival Billimoria.

Horniman Circle Garden – 7:30pm : CLASS OF ‘84

Presented by Rage Productions.

Saturday, 13^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 6 & 9:30pm : S*X, M*RALITY & CENS*RSHIP

With Nagesh Bhonsle, Gitanjali Kulkarni, Shubhrojyoti Barat, Ketaki Thatte, Umesh Jagtap, Gulshan Devaiah, Puja Swaroop.

Tata Theatre – 7pm : CHAOS THEORY

Written by Anuvab Pal. Directed by Rahul da Cunha

NGMA Auditorium – 6:30pm : SOMETIMES

Presented by Shomshukla Das.

NGMA Auditorium – 7:30pm : THE SUNSHINE BOYS

Directed by Percival Billimoria.

Horniman Circle Garden – 7pm : HATT TERI KISMAT

Presented by Vijay Tendulkar and Dhrishtikone, Bhillai.

NGMA Auditorium – 8:30pm : MAD HORSES AND SHAKESPERE IS ALIVE AND KICKING

Presented by Gary Richardson and Alyque Padamsee.

Sunday, 14^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 4 & 7:30pm : S*X, M*RALITY & CENS*RSHIP

Directed by Sunil Shanbag.

Tata Theatre – 6:30pm : HARAKPADUDI HANSA

Written by Iravati Karnik. Directed by Vipul Mehta.

Horniman Circle Garden – 4:30pm :DO KADAM HONSLE KI

Presented by Society for the Crippled.

Horniman Circle Garden – 5:30pm : BABE

Presented by Chip Mumbai.

NGMA Auditorium – 7:30pm : LETS TALK ABOUT LOVE

Presented by Balancing Act.

Tuesday, 16^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : JAGADAMBA

With Rohini Hattangady & Aseem Hattangady.

Wednesday, 17^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 6 & 9pm : SAPADHELYA AATHAVANI

An Awishkar Presentation.

Thursday, 18^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 6 & 9pm : KACHCHE LAMHE

A lighthearted look at delicate relationships with fun, gaiety and few tears.

NCPA Experimental – 7pm : WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

Join George and Martha for an evening of fun and games.

Friday, 19^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 6 & 9pm : KHARAASHEIN

An Essay Communications Presentation.

NCPA Experimental – 7pm : JAKE’S WOMEN

Jake, a successful novelist, faces a marital crisis by daydreaming about the women in his life.

Saturday, 20^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 6 & 9pm : LAKEEREIN

With Yashpal Sharma, Amit Jairath, Dimpy Mishra, Pratik Kothari, Salim Arif, Seema Sehgal and Lubna Salim.

NCPA Experimental – 7pm : ALL ABOUT WOMEN

Written by Mira Gavran. Directed by Hidaayat Sami.

TATA Theatre – 7pm : ANYTHING BUT LOVE!

A story of a recently divorced couple, perhaps still very much in love.

Sunday, 21^st February

NCPA Experimental – 11am : THE MYSTERY OF THE PANTOMIME CAT

Based on the Enid Blyton series, featuring the Five Find-Outers and their dog.

Prithvi Theatre – 4 & 8pm : ATTANNIYAAN - OF MUMBAI MAHANAGAR...

Written by Gulzar. Directed by Salim Arif.

TATA Theatre – 6:30pm : WALKING ON BROKEN DAS

An Ashvin Gidwani Presentation.

NCPA Experimental – 7pm : ALL ABOUT WOMEN

An Akvarious Presentation.

Monday, 22nd February

18 Anukool – 7:30pm : GREAT TEXT READING

An informal reading of Federico Garcia Lorca's 'Blood Wedding'.

Tuesday, 23^rd February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : ANDHA YUG – A FUSION

A Ranga Theatre Presentation.

Wednesday, 24^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : ANDHA YUG – A FUSION

The moral burden of the play is that every act of violence inevitably debases society as a whole.

Thursday, 25^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 9pm : ANDHA YUG – A FUSION

Directed by Bijon Mondal.

Friday, 26^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 6 & 9pm : ANDHA YUG – A FUSION

With Pobitro Sarkar, Trishla Patel, Aarifa, Satyendra, Dharmendra, Bijon Mondal, Kulvinder Bakshish and others.

Saturday, 27^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 6 & 9pm : ANDHA YUG – A FUSION

Directed by Bijon Mondal.

NCPA Experimental – 7pm : SOME GIRL(S)

A humorous yet poignant look at relationships. A man on the verge of getting m

arried calls up is ex-girlfriends to gain some closure and to apologise for past sins.

Sunday, 28^th February

Prithvi Theatre – 8pm : MEMORIAL CONCERT

Performance by Ustad Zakir Hussain.

NCPA Experimental – 6:30pm : SOME GIRL(S)

Written by Neil LaBute. Adapted by Akarsh Khurana. Directed by Nadir Khan.

With Mukul Chadda, Shivani Tanksale, Juhi Pande, Radhika Mital and Tarana Raja Kapoor.