6th Edition of the NCPA Centrestage Festival...New plays in 5 languages...
November 19, 2015 2:30:40 PM IST MTG editorial
The 6th edition of Centrestage, organised by the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in association with the Vinod and Saryu Doshi Foundation, is set to kick start from November 27th and will go on till December 6th. Theatre lovers will be spoilt for choice as the annual festival will feature 15 premiering plays in 5 languages. With actor Kalki Koechlin's directorial debut, a solo act by Gujarati theatre group Ideas Unlimited, a Rajasthani adaptation of playwright William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and much more, theatre lovers are in for a treat.
Speaking on this year's edition, Deepa Gahlot, Head - Programming (Theatre & Film), NCPA, says, ''Each year, Centrestage is curated keeping in mind the thought to present creative, unique and exceptional works with an edge. This thought has made the festival one of India's most awaited theatre celebrations and we feel proud to host multilingual productions that showcase the diversity and true essence of theatre.''
Here is this year's line-up:
MISS CUCKOO (English and Hindi Play), Experimental Theatre, Friday 27th -7pm
About the play: Written by Adhir Bhat and directed by Meera Khurana, the play is about an ageing actress, played by Seema Pahwa, who is not ready to accept that her days of fame are coming to an end. An Akvarious Production
SHARAD JOSHI EXPRESS, (Hindi), Godrej Dance Theatre, Saturday 28th - 5pm About the play: A tribute to the great satirist Sharad Joshi, the production consists of five stories by him, presented not alternatively but simultaneously and interconnected with a musical treatment. The play is written by Sharad Joshi and directed by Mayank Pahwa.
A Kopal Production
PARINDON KI MEHFIL, (Hindustani), Experimental Theatre, Saturday 28th - 7pm
About the play: The play is translated from the poem 'Conference of the Birds' by Ms Phulmani Varma. The poem is presented in the form of a play, and is directed by Heeba Shah.
THE LIVING ROOM, (English), Experimental Theatre, Sunday 29th - 3pm & 7pm About the play: Imagine a world where time is of no consequence. A world where space is suspended and reality only exists for those who believe in it. This is the Living Room. This happens to be Ana Nil's living room. Death sits there, alive, as real as you and me, and all he wants is to enjoy a warm cup of tea and some lovely ginger cookies. Written and directed by Kalki Koechlin.
LITTLE PRODUCTIONS
WHATSUP? , (Gujarati), Godrej Dance Theatre, Sunday 29th - 5pm About the play: Chirag, a young man in his early thirties, is about to board a direct flight to Chicago. He is in a rush to attend to serious crises in USA. However, before he can board the flight, newer and bigger crisis arise at his home front. Will he board the flight or not... he is caught in a funny dilemma. The play is written by Uttam Gada and directed by Manoj Shah.
An Ideas Unlimited Production
KANUPRIYA (Hindi), Experimental Theatre, Monday 30th - 7pm About the play: Radha and Krishna have always been a subject of interest for artistes. Dharamveer Bharati's Radha is very different-- contemporary and strong. Written by Dharamvir Bharati and adapted and directed by Mitali Joshi.
MH 06 Production
SPANDAN, (Marathi), Godrej Dance Theatre, Monday 30th - 5pm About the play: Adapted from A Letter to a Child Never Born, a novel by Italian author and journalist Oriana Fallaci, it is written as a letter by young professional woman to the foetus she carries in the womb. Adapted and directed by Vipul Vilas Mahagaonkar.
A Taleem Production
SPACES, (English), Experimental Theatre, Tuesday, 1st - 7pm About the play: The play is set in an old mansion where its protagonist, Aziza a young artist struggles to preserve her identity and cherished heritage. Written by Noor Baig and Mohammad Ali Baig, and directed by Mohammad Ali Baig.
Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation
7/7/07, (English), Experimental Theatre, Wednesday 2nd - 7pm About the play: Little did 19 year old Rayhaneh Jabbari know what her life would be like for the next 7 years, within prison walls, when she agreed to meet Dr. Sarbandi on the 7th of July 2007. Little did she know that she would pay with death, 7 years later, for defending herself against the man who tried to rape her. Written by Rayhaneh Jabbari and directed by Faezeh Jalali.
FATS TheArts Collaborative
KASUMAL SAPNO, (Rajasthani), Experimental Theatre, Thursday, 3rd - 7pm About the play: the play is an adaptation of playwright William Shakespeare`s most popular comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Directed by Ajeet Singh Palawat.
An Ujaagar Dramatic Association, (Jaipur) Production
ISHQ AAHA, (Hindi, English and Punjabi) Experimental Theatre, Friday 4th - 7pm About the play: The play is about love and how it is experienced everyone differently. It is inspired by - Heer Ranjha (Waris Shah and Damodar), Sassi Punnu (Hashim Shah), Soni Mahiwal (Fazal Shah and Hafiz Barkhurdar), Mirza Sahiban (Peelu and Hafiz Barkhurdar). It is written by Raghav Dutt, Dhruv Lohumi, Sukant Goel Gagan Dev Riar and Purva Naresh, and directed by Gagan Dev Riar and Sukant Goel.
A Jhoom Presentation
BABOT, (Gujarati), Godrej Dance Theatre, Saturday, 5th - 5pm About the play: What happens when the insulated copper wires of a Robot gets connected to human emotions; when the shining titanium warms up to a caring motherly touch; when the highest IQ meets the strongest EQ; will there be a connection ?The play is about a machine's desire to become a Human! It is written by Amatya Goradia and directed by Pritesh Sodha.
A Utopia Communications Production
THE GENTLEMEN'S CLUB, (English), Experimental Theatre Saturday 5th - 7pm About the play: One of the hottest clubs in the underground scene of Mumbai is the Gentlemen's Club known for this non-stop variety shows. Night after night women dress up as men and celebrate all things masculine. Our story follows the lives of these drag kings as they move in and out of performances. Written by - Vikram Phukan Devised piece by Patchworks Ensemble
AMBU AND RAJALAKSHMI , (English), Godrej Dance Theatre, Sunday, 6th - 5pm About the play: Ambu and Rajalakshmi are two young women, and cousin sisters; now in their thirties. They are delighted to meet each other after many years, albeit on the occasion of a death in the family, in a small town in north India. Written by Ramu Ramanathan and directed by Gurleen Judge.
The Naya Pata Kollectiv Production
HAYAVADANA, (Gujarati), Experimental Theatre, Sunday, 6th - 7pm About the play: An adaptation of Girish Karnad's Hayavadana in Gujarati, in which, the horse-headed man arrives in Gujarat as part of his pilgrimage to rid himself of the curse and ends up interrupting a Bhavai performance. Written by Girish Karnad, and adapted and directed by Chanakya Vyas.
A Riad Mahmood Education and Arts Foundation & Indian Ensemble Production
Mumbai Theatre Guide takes no responsibility for change in schedule.
