Eerie or exciting? You decide

Mithran Denanesen, of the Madras Players group, is all set to wow theatre buffs in the city with Midnight Hotel, a comedy thriller

Mithran Denanesen, of the Madras Players group, is all set to wow theatre buffs in the city with Midnight Hotel, a comedy thriller.

You have a strong connection with Bangalore...
I studied in Bishop Cotton Boys School in Bangalore, where I remember volunteering to distribute passes of plays just to get into theatre. At that time not many people encouraged theatre, but my English teacher was a real pillar of support. However, theatre took a backseat when I got into medicine. I abandoned medicine after 3 years of study because I was missing theatre very much.

Multi-faceted: Mithran Denanesen is actor, director and activist

When did you sign up with the Madras Players?
I joined the group in 1973. I began by sweeping theatre floors! Thankfully, they saw that I fancied myself as an actor and took me seriously enough to offer me roles.

Has the recession hit theatre badly?
Oh yes, because it is difficult to find sponsors for plays, especially in Chennai. There are 8 active theatre groups in Chennai but there are not as many companies to sponsor us. Bangalore is better off.

In this era of multiplexes, what hope for theatre?
I guess it's a cycle. Theatre was neglected when television came into living rooms. People then got bored of TV shows, and explored live entertainment options. I guess there willu00a0 always be an audience for theatre.

Why did you choose a comedy thriller like Midnight Hotel to open your account in Bangalore?
Comedy thrillers are a comparatively new genre of plays and, if performed properly, theyu00a0 ought to be loved by critics also. We decided on this play because we wanted to do something different.

You've been actor, director, activist. What's your next role?
I have directed plays, travelledu00a0 the world and been in the real estate business for five years. I also run an NGO. We offeru00a0 shelter and support to HIV+ women and children. We also run a shelter for battered women. I enjoy all these roles equally.

What: Midnight Hotel by Madras Players
Playwright: Shree Kumar Varma
Cast: Mithran Denanesen, PC Ramakrisha, Shankar, Anuradha Anand, Michel Muthu, Indrani and Yusif.
Where: Kyra, Indiranagar
When: May 26 to 28.
How much: Rs 400.
Book your tickets on https://www.kyra.in/