Mumbai Stages pull in crowds, as the curtains rise on some great theatre
In the brief but tantalising “winter” Mumbai enjoys, there is an explosion of events — outdoor, indoor, on stage, off stage. Theatre-lovers should keep their evenings free through end-November and the first half of December, because it’s time for serious storytelling at two premier theatres in the city.
Launched on November 26, the Centrestage Festival 2010, an NCPA initiative, presents for Mumbaikars 12 brand-new plays in four languages — English, Hindi, Marathi and Urdu (five, if you count “gibberish”).
Conceptualised by Deepa Gahlot, NCPA’s Head of Programming for Theatre and Arts, Centrestage (November 26-December 5) is an extravaganza of folk and chauraha performances, play readings, films on theatre, theatre workshops and discussions. Featuring veteran playwrights like Manav Kaul and Sandesh Kulkarni, directors like Nadira Zaheer Babbar and Delna Mody, the festival includes musicals that acknowledge 1950s–1960s Bollywood in the glory of black and white (with costumes by Oscar-winner Bhanu Athaiya), comedies, experimental theatre, musicals and stage adaptations (Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca).
A nervous young man waits for a job interview in hard times. A husband and wife seek to recapture the magic of their honeymoon as they enter their 40s. An ambitious girl dreams of a career in the movies. A husband discovers a side to his wife he never imagined. Prehistoric man, speaking little and in gibberish, invents the wheel and we see the gradual evolution of mankind.
Promising plots, all. Combined with workshops for serious theatre enthusiasts, outdoor play readings and storytelling at NCPA’s Sunken Garden, the 10 days of Centrestage are set to draw a varied crowd.
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From November 30 to December 5, the Centrestage Festival also conducts theatre workshops on the theme “Understanding Theatre: From Script to Stage”. Waman Kendre, eminent theatre director, Salim Arif and Atul Tiwari — both of the National School of Drama, will take participants through the history and definitions of theatre, graduating to the relevance of sets, lights, music, theatre games and practical exercises in acting and direction.
Centrestage will close on December 5 with Akvarious Productions’ adaptation of Rebecca. But even as the curtains come down, the theatre glut continues all the way across Mumbai, in Prithvi Theatre in the suburbs.
“Sarkash” (December 4-12) — the word means “a rebel” — is a festival by Jana Natya Manch, the Delhi-based theatre company best known for its street theatre and set up in 1973 by Safdar Hashmi and like-minded friends. Jana Natya Manch hopes to build a space for theatre where rehearsals can happen and which other cultural groups can use as well. Sarkash is a fundraising initiative in pursuit of that dream.
Theatre groups Arpana, Cinematograph, Essay Communications, Motley and others will present their best works at Sarkash. Opening with the perennial favourite Tumhari Amrita — that timeless, magical exchange between Shabana Azmi and Farooque Shaikh, the festival also brings to Prithvi Ismat Aapa Ke Naam, starring Ratna Pathak-Shah and Naseeruddin Shah — the latter being the director of the play as well. The music for the play has been composed by Vishal Bharadwaj. Lakeerein is a blend of stories and poems by poet-lyricist Gulzar. A close look at the nearly forgotten textile mill industry of Mumbai, Cotton 56, Polyester 84 is simultaneously funny and hard-hitting.
With all these on stage in coming weeks, the evenings are starting to look busy. Get to the bookings and block your space now. It’s going to be a treat.
For more details and a full schedule of both festivals, visit www.ncpamumbai.com and www.prithvitheatre.org. Tickets for all shows are available at www.bookmyshow.com
