Nobody should watch TV today!'

Sanjna Kapoor nudges theatre lovers to ditch today's India vs England match and head to the Prithvi Theatre Carnival for 19 top-notch performances

It's tough competition that Sanjna Kapoor, director of Prithvi Theatre, and her team are facing. India plays a formidable team at the World Cup today, and if Sehwag comes out blazing, tearing viewers away from TV screens will be tough.u00a0

But they say, when you can't beat them, join them. For the first time, Prithvi Theatre will house a special adda that houses a television set where you can head every time you need an answer to: 'Score kya hua?' "That's where diehard fans can get their updates. But nobody should watch TV today," says Kapoor, urging people to head to the auditorium instead.


Sarita Joshi will perform Jhalak in Gujarati. It stages a one-woman
show about her journey from early Gujarati bhangwadi theatre
to the contemporary era.

A look at the schedule of today's Prithvi Theatre Carnival, like a tequila shot, leaves you dizzy in an instant. The day begins with the launch of the Satyadev: Theatre Ke Anokhe Dubey Yearbook dedicated to Padma Shri Pandit Satyadev Dubey, along with a screening of the film Shantata! Court Chalu Ahe.

Then follow a series of performances from the best of Mumbai theatre. Eight directors will present fresh pieces, while eight actors will perform some of their favourite works in a 15-minute time slot.

The carnival is inspired by a similar attempt titled 36 Ghante, hosted by Rage Productions some years ago. "36 Ghante brought the entire theatre community together in a remarkable way, and we wanted that concept to become a part of our lives," says Kapoor, admitting that juggling dates has been a hard task.

In fact, Rage Productions' Shernaz Patel will not be in town to see the carnival unfold. Film and theatre veteran Naseeruddin Shah, who was keen to perform a piece on Shylock, will not be able to make it either.

Kapoor hopes the carnival turns into an annual affair so that Patel, Shah and others who will miss it this year, are back in 2012.

The day-long celebration of theatre is interesting enough but what we are more excited about is cheering the Indian team along with Mumbai's theatrewallahs.

At: Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Road, Vile Parle (W), 10.30 am onwards
Call: 26149546. Tickets: Rs 150 per session