The pan-India youth theatre festival is back with a line-up of comedies. They didn't have a main sponsor till last week, and purse strings are really tight. But passion will make up for it
The pan-India youth theatre festival is back with a line-up of comedies. They didn't have a main sponsor till last week, and purse strings are really tight. But passion will make up for it
Thespo, the youth theatre festival turns 11 this year, with a line-up that includes four plays, all comedies. Quasar Thakore Padamsee, founding member Thespo, is quick to clarify that it's simply a co-incidence. "But each of these plays is differently funny. It's exciting to have comedies for entries because it shows that people are picking the hardest style to perform and doing it well."u00a0u00a0
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A special highlight includes a children's play, Pirate's Ship that has come all the way from Australia. A couple of productions - Confessions and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf - that have been part of the Thespo line-up in the previous years, make a comeback. Quasar jokes about the "real" reason behind staging earlier work. "There cannot be a Thespo without Kashin Shetty (lead actor of Confessions). He has been a part of the festival since 2002. Since this the last year that he'll be able to perform at the fest, we just had to have him."u00a0
Kashin is not the only one from the "graduating batch". Young theatrewallas who are above 25, are barred from performing at the fest. As a farewell to Thespo, some of the retirees will host an Awards Night on December 13.
The highlight is the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is being presented to theatre veteran Vijaya Mehta. "Our generation seems to know Vijayabai only as an administrator, the director of NCPA. She is so much more. We've decided to curate a film club based on her work, to allow the younger lot to connect with her contribution to Indian theatre," says Quasar.u00a0
All eyes on
The play to watch out for: Geli Ekvees Varsha
Directed by: Aalok Rajwade
Storyline: Life. Education. Money. Job. Relationships. Insecurities. Drugs. Freedom. Facebook. Reality television. Sex. Love. Confusion... A dark comedy about being 21, in the 21st century.u00a0
Why watch it: "This is a group that's returning to the festival. They had performed Dalan last year, which I absolutely loved. These guys are a zzz talented bunch. It's surprising that a 31-year-old has written a script that demands a far younger mindset." states Quasar Thakore Padamsee.
At: Prithvi Theatre, Juhu and NCPA, Nariman Point.
Till: December 13. Cost: Tickets: Rs 120 (with a 50% discount for students on production of ID cards).
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