Open air theatre festival planned

Open air theatre festival planned

MUNISH DHIMAN  31st May 2014

A scene from a performance by the group he Fools' Paradise Theatre Group is one of the most prominent and active theatre groups in the city, known for its unique performances. The group is all set to organise its maiden four-day festival in Chandigarh and hopes to receive a warm response from the city's theatre lovers. "It's summer time and vacations have started in most of the schools and colleges in the Tricity," said Mohneesh Kalyan, founder and director of the group. "We conceptualised the Open Air Theatre Festival with a view to inspire enthusiasts to continue theatre activities in the region. We decided to hold this festival in the open as most of the people stay in houses or offices for long periods of the day and this will break their monotonous schedule. In the absence of airconditioning, an open stage surrounded with lush green lawns will be a treat for the eyes and the soul as well." Shruti Sarswat, a member of the group echoed similar sentiments. "It will be a challenge for us," she said, "as this is our first festival and people here have seen some really great plays, especially Sudesh Sharma's Court Martial. The play completed its 400th show here in Chandigarh and most enthusiasts may have memorised the dialogs of the play. For us, staging this play with a whole new team and with a different approach will be the challenge that we need to overcome." Five plays will be staged during the four-day festival, starting with Gurudakshina (written by Deen Dayal Sharma). This story is based on the mythological character Eklavya from the Mahabharata. Bade Bhai Sahab (By Munshi Prem Chand), which will also be staged on the first day, draws its humour from the difference in morality between two brothers. Phandi, a play by Shankar Shesh about a man compelled to euthanise his father, will be staged on the second day, while Court Martial, to be staged on the third day, is poised to attract a lot of people who will be interested to see the familiar story through the vision of another director. Shankar Shesh's Nayee Sabhyata Naye Namoone, to be staged on the concluding day, is a social satire with a touch of melodramatic humour. It showcases the shallowness of a society wrapped in modernism. "The fate of holding such festivals every year will solely depend on the success of this edition," Mohneesh added. "We have done several shows in other festivals that have been received well by the audience, but offering such a bouquet of different plays is new for us and we have to give our best shot." http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/open-air-theatre-festival-planned