WHAT's ON got a sneak-peek of English play Grey Elephants in Denmark that's making a come back this weekend with a new cast and set
WHAT's ON got a sneak-peek of English play Grey Elephants in Denmark that's making a come back this weekend with a new cast and set
Using the answer to the most basic of mental-magic tricks, which is invariably 'Grey Elephants in Denmark', is how writer-director Chaitanya Tamhane derived the name of his play.
The title is symbolic of the play's protagonist Vijay Iyengar's profession magic.
But this is not a play about a cape-wearing, abracadabra-mouthing stage magician. It, in fact, explores the more intimate magician who is a close-up illusionist and mentalist.
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The cast of Grey Elephants in Denmark at a rehearsal at Usha Colony, Malad (W). |
"The play is essentially a character study of a partially talented artiste from the time he's 13 till he's 60 years- old.
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He is based in a very India-specific background," Chaitanya adds, to help simplify the plot.
Vijay comes from a family of magicians from Palangad and is expected to follow the family tradition and become a magician.
He's shown to be immersed in exploring the finer aspects of the art from a young age.
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During the course of the play the protagonist even conducts experiments with audiences, asking them to participate in his magic.
Chaitanya claims that his protagonist represents any artiste who makes his passion his profession. "...Not necessarily a magician.
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In this case I chose to portray a magician because of my own fascination with the world of magic," says Chaitanya, who has performed close-up illusions and mentalist tricks in the past.
For the play, he has been training his cast and crew of about 12 youngsters in magic.
Grey Elephants in Denmark, premiered earlier this year and was well received by audiences.
The audience reaction came as quite a surprise to Chaitanya, who has devised the play for an intimate and discerning audience.
"It might be about magic but it's not for children by any stretch of imagination," warns Chaitanya.
At: Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point. May 30 at 7 pm, and May 31 at 6.30 pm.
Call: 22824567. Tickets: Rs 150
