25 June,2011 08:42 AM IST | | Aditi Sharma
Simon and Garfunkel's iconic folk ballad that caught the world's fancy decades ago inspired playwright-actor Yudhishtir Agrawal to pen a play. This weekend, catch Last Minute Productions' Past Forward, a double bill of plays including Scarborough Fair and Roulette, at NCPA
Long before fancy supermarkets sold firangi herbs over their polished counters, American musicians Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel introduced us to 'parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme' through their version of Scarborough Fair, an English folk ballad that traces its roots to the middle English ages. 27-year-old Yudhishthir Agrawal recalls finding comfort in Simon and Garfunkel numbers as a teenager when his father introduced him to their music. Nearly ten years after he first heard the band's music, Yudhishthir decided to incorporate their songs into a play he has written.
Spandan and Sohini Mishra rehearse for Roulette
In Scarborough Fair, Yudhishthir explores the mind of a young man who is torn between his passion for theatre and his love for a girl. "The protagonist, Samarth, is trying to grapple with his priorities and find a balance so he can pursue his love for theatre as well as a relationship with the girl he is in love with," explains Yudhishthir. The plays seems a tad autobiographical considering Yudhishthir juggles between working in an advertising firm and fulfilling his theatrical commitments.
Past Forward also includes an Indianised adaptation of Douglas Hill's absurdist playu00a0-- Roulette, which has been directed by another advertising professional, Spandan Mishra. The play revolves around a couple on the verge of divorce, who are forced to tackle weird events on a never-ending road trip. Spandan and his wife Sohini Mishra play the warring couple in the play. "We have a pretty explosive relationship but we've never been able to work togetheru00a0-- this play is perfect for us," says Spandan, who co-founded the group with Yudhishthir.
This is Last Minute Productions' fourth play and first at a professional venue. Their previous plays, The Diary and Cut, have been performed at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, while Jeene Bhi Do Yaaron was performed at a hospital. Performing in Mumbai has been a dream Yudhishthir and Spandan have nurtured since their days as engineering students. Through the group, the two attempt to bring together working professionals from media, advertising, films, marketing and dance who share a passion for theatre. "We maintain the spirit of amateur theatre and keep the production very professional," says Yudhishthir. Watch this one for Simon and Garfunkel.
On: June 25 and 26, 7 pm
At: Godrej Dance Academy, NCPA, Nariman Point.
Call: 22824567 tickets Rs 200
