Don’t look any further for places to go this weekend. Rhea Dhanbhoora tells you what theatre events are worth visiting
If you’re looking for stuff to do this weekend and a play or stimulating event seems worth it to you, we’ve got just the thing. There are several interesting plays springing up across the city. We look at a few of the best picks.
Draupadi
Cast Shivani Pasrich, Charu Shankar, Dilip Shankar, Sanjit Bedi, Arjun Fauzdar & others
Directed by Tina Johnson & Shivani Pasrich
A play by ex-model Shivani Wazir Pasrich, Draupadi interweaves tales from the epic past with contemporary Indian life. With Ritu Kumar’s costumes, Aman Nath’s set designs, Anjolie Ela Menon’s paintings and Shubha Mudgal’s voice, the play promises to be a dazzling affair, drawing attention to the roles of women in society.
As Shivani says, “When something works, it’s normally the end of the creative process. With Draupadi, we are continuing the creative journey. In March 2010, we had eight housefull performances in Delhi. We imagined we would be celebrating but instead the whole team come together to agree that we could do more.”
The story centers on Draupadi, stuck between heaven and earth, roaming the streets and pondering her fate. Her only confidante is Lord Krishna. She tries to understand (along with him), why women are suffering even today. Krishna leads her to Maaya, a woman of today who has suffered abuse at the hands of society. Draupadi stops her from committing suicide and offers her help in return for a favour.
Shivani adds, “For people who come to see the play, they will certainly not leave unaffected. Some moments will touch theirs lives. I can still say that each time I see the actors perform, it’s like watching a new play.”
Where Tata Theatre, NCPA, NCPA,Marg, Nariman Point
When November 13 to 14 from
7.30pm onwards
Contact 66223754
Literature Live!
This four day extravaganza will spread across venues such as NCPA, TATA theatre and experimental theatre. The grand finale will take place at Dasvino Club, in Lavasa. As Director Anil Dharker says, “Literature Live is not academic or boring. It’s lively and interesting. That's why I chose the name Literature Live! We have Anupam Kher doing his autobiography in a spoken way. We have London based Mathew Sharp who tells literary stories accompanied by music from his cello and much more. There are a lot of exciting things happening.”
Anchored by Anil Dharker, the initiative is supported by award-winning author and columnist Bachi Karkaria, acclaimed journalist Shashi Baliga, theatre personality Gerson Da Cunha, Indian author and poet Arundhathi Subramaniam, stage actor turned theatre director Quasar Thakore Padamsee, bestselling author Chetan Bhagat and more.
Anil Dharker says, “It’s not easy to find sponsors as it is a niche. But luckily I got sponsors and I managed to put it together. We have film festivals, Kala Ghoda festival but no literary festival. Mumbai is the most international and cosmopolitan city and I felt we really need to have a literary festival which is inter in Mumbai.”
Where NCPA, Tata Theatre, Experimental Theatre, Dasvino Club at Lavasa
When November 12 to 14
Contact 22735635.
History of India – Viritten
For those who don’t particularly enjoy history too much, a parody of it would do well to entertain and inform. Ashvin Gidwani Productions, one of India’s leading production houses offers the ‘History of India’, a comedy show featuring Vir Das.
A comedic journey through the History of India is what Vir will take you on with his inimitable humour. A mixture of fact, fiction, satire and pride makes exciting. Beginning at the cradle of civilization and going right down to the recent times, from past to present, Vir presents the funny elements that have been part of our historic journey as a country.
As Ashvin says, "History is hugely funny, we just haven’t been reading it right. This show will set new standards in stand up comedy in India. It will be a milestone in the theatrical interpretation of comedy."
The act will be opened by Kavi Shastri. Head down and see history being ‘VIRitten.’
Where November 14
Where Sophia Baba Auditorium
Tickets `500, `750 and `1,000
Contact 23538550
30 days in September
Directed by Lilette Dubey
Cast Neha Dubey, Joy Sengupta, Amar Talwar & Lillete Dubey
An intense tale of love and betrayal, 30 DIS explores the brutal severance of the bond between an adult and child. A mother discovers the truth about her daughter, which sets them both on a journey of self discovery.
The play deals with the anguish of Mala Khatri (Neha Dubey) and unfolds as a flashback. She is unable to stick to a steady relationship for more than 30 days because of the abuse she received in her childhood. Lillette Dubey’s direction is powerful and has some truly amazing performances.
When November 13 at 8pm
Where Y.B. Chavan Center
Writer Mahesh Dattani