Three friends not idiots

Three boys, thick as thieves -- one deaf, another dumb and the third mute -- do all they can to lighten up your senses at the ongoing old world theatre fest in town

Three boys, thick as thievesu00a0-- one deaf, another dumb and the third muteu00a0-- do all they can to lighten up your senses at the ongoing old world theatre fest in town

Lights. Action. Forget the camera; we've had an overdose. The ongoing Old World Theatre Festival, which pays tribute to director Feroz Abbas Khan's contribution to the cosmos of theatre, has some hilarious treats to offer. Being instrumental in bringing Hindi theatre mainstream recognition, Khan is also known for his extraordinary exploration of theatrical representations and direction of some of India's finest acting talent. "Each December, the Old World Theatre Festival brings the year to a close with a celebration of culture. This year, it's the finest of Feroz", smiles Vidyun Singh, Director, Programmes for Habitat World as well as Epicentre.u00a0u00a0

A still from All The Best

Act facts

The festival is all about dynamic, original and critically-acclaimed Indian and International productions like Tumhari Amrita, Salesman Ramlal, Saalgirah et al. It also saw the film screening of Gandhi: My Father starring Akshaye Khanna and Darshan Jariwala, the directorial debut of Feroz Abbas Khan. "There are productions from all around the country, and I have lined up many a genre to the best of my tastes," said the stalwart himself.u00a0
u00a0
Apart from these, the Collegiate Theatre segment, the first to give a mainstream opportunity to young amateurs, showcases a host of talents in commensurate rivalry from the houses of Delhi University. Top colleges sweat it out on stage, while you get a chance to chomp on all the charm. There's a hilarious play about three friendsu00a0-- one dumb, another blind and the third muteu00a0-- in love with the same girl, and the story of a South African boy who yearns for his own room. Rush before tickets are sold out.

Cut-N-Keep schedule

Out of Bounds
Director: Tina Johnson
Cast: Rajesh Gopie
The one man play is set in the Eighties in South Africa. It tells the story of Lal, a young boy growing up in Inanda and Phoenix, where he lives with his parents, brothers and sisters, cousins, grandmother, uncles and auntsu00a0-- all under one roof. All Lal longs for is a room to himself, and privacy.u00a0 It is a slice of life drama, a bright tapestry lovingly laced with attention to detail... an energetic and heartfelt display of acting, delivered with warmth, verve and fine comic tuning. Acclaimed in 33 European cities and across the United States of America, the play was hailed as 'boundlessly brilliant' and 'a gem' by The Citizen and as 'one of the best plays you'll see this year' by The Sunday Times during its run in Johannesburg in 2005.

All The Best
Writer-Director: Devendra Pem
Cast: Vrajesh Hirjee, Iqbal Azaad, Vikasu00a0 Kadam, Mansi Joshi
Three friends, one blind, the other deaf and the third, mute. Enter a young girl in their home, and straight into their hearts. One cannot see her, the other cannot hear her and the third cannot speak with her. But love her, they all do. The resultu00a0-- a rip-roaring comedy called All The Best.
Habitat World, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road
December 11, 7 pm
December 12, 7.30 pm
Epicentre at Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurgaon
December 10, 7.30 pm