One of the most appealing aspects of theatre, according to actor-director Lillete Dubey, is the sense of shared humanity — stepping into the shoes of a person, experiencing what they go through, and then fleshing out that experience for the audience to relate to. Ahead of the premier of her new play, Lockdown Liaisons, on November 19, the artistic director of The Primetime Theatre Company, is thus understandably excited to be back on stage, embracing and recreating the joy of shared humanity. “We’re opening a new play after two years, and I’m happy it’s about such a momentous time in history,” Dubey shares about the play that’s based on five stories from author Shobhaa De’s eponymous book.

Dubey, who has directed and produced the production, tells us it’s good to have live shows back. “I didn’t do a lot of stuff on the theatre front [during the pandemic]. I wasn’t one of those who went the online way because my heart was just not in it. I strongly believe that live connection is the essence of theatre,” she asserts.