14 April,2012 06:36 AM IST | | Surekha S
Written by Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops To Conquer is a classic that was first staged in UK, in 1773. Since then, it has been performed a multitude of times and given its relevance even in today's times, it remains an extremely popular play across the globe. NCPA, which has collaborated with National Theatre London for the NT Live project, is bringing this play for the first time to Mumbai's audiences, and theatre lovers here will get the opportunity to watch it as it is being shot live in the UK.
A still from She Stoops to Conquer
NT Live is a project that involves certain productions being filmed and then broadcast live to cinemas around the world so that the productions of the National Theatre can reach a very diverse audience. The first season of NT Live was seen by over 1,65,000 people in 22 countries
"In 2010, when Chairman of NCPA, Khushroo Suntook was in London, he came across about NT Live and the plays being staged in the UK. He felt that NCPA should collaborate with them to bring these plays to Mumbai," explains Deepa Gahlot, head programming, theatre, NCPA. The first season started in June 2011 and the plays screened as part of it include Frankenstein, One Man Two Guvnors, Cherry Orchard, The Kitchen, Collaborators and Comedy of Errors. The response to it was great," she adds.
"For the first time in India, this collaboration with the UK's National Theatre will enable audiences in Mumbai to see what the world is watching - not on stage, but through high-quality digital recordings, shot live," shares Gahlot. She feels that though the experience is not exactly the same as watching a live play on stage, when it is shot as well as they do, it becomes a great experience. "The play is shot with multiple cameras so the expressions we can see is crystal clear," she says. "The main purpose of NT Live is to expose the Mumbai audience to international quality of work. And, if given the option of not watching an international play or watching it on screen, I would surely choose the latter," she admits.
She Stoops To Conquer is a celebration of chaos, courtship and the dysfunctional family. It is the story of a woman who takes the lead in her relationship and Gahlot feels it has relevance in today's times as well.
