Thespo theatre festival in Mumbai puts spotlight on young theatre makers

What started as a showcase of young onstage and backstage talent in 1999 is returning for a new season after its milestone 25th edition last year Itrsquos not a surprise then that the perspectives at Thespo 26rsquos performances hosted by Prithvi Theatre are out of the box unorthodox and fresher than ever ldquoThe theme for this year was Bring Your Own Drama mdash a call for untold stories that might not usually find a stageMonika VijayFrom perspectives on patriarchy in the kitchens of India to a play from Assam that takes a modern relook at the myth of Surpanakha in Ramayana the curators were in for a tough choicerdquo says festival mentor Anushka Ghose The kicker this year however is that all the full length plays on the roster are femaleled directorialsPrithvi Theatre is decked with celebratory deacutecor for the festivalFrom the heart of Maharashtra in Ahilyanagar previously Ahmednagar comes one such story from director Monika Vijayrsquos theatre company Aapla Ghar Written by Amol Salve the social drama explores how caste identities latch on to a young intercaste couple that moves to Mumbai in pursuit of an easier life ldquoThere was a time when a play like this would be labelled experimental in theatre circles in metropolitan cities For us these are the stories that feel the most familiar Debuting it for an urban crowd will be a breath of fresh air for us and the audiencesrdquo the duo tells usTill December 8At Prithvi Theatre Juhu Church Road Janki Kutir JuhuLog on to thespoorgThe Guidersquos Top PicksPrithvi TheatreA moment from a previous performance of Chai Thandi Na Ho JayeChai anyoneThe Hindi Dramatics Society of Miranda House Delhi takes the audience back in time with their fantasy drama Chai Thandi Na Ho Jaye If the name rings a bell itrsquos because itrsquos an Indian adaptation of Toshikazu Kawaguchirsquos 2015 Japanese novel Before The Coffee Gets ColdON Tomorrow 6pm and 9 pmLog on to thespoorgEntry Rs 350 Rs 200 studentsA scene from the Marathi play Rikameek PICS COURTESYTHESPOINSTAGRAMBeyond caste linesIn times where social media is pushing netizens to ideological extremes how does a young awkward couple navigate their intercaste marriage Ahilyanagarrsquos Aapla Ghar theatre company answers the question through their sociopolitical drama RikameekON December 6 6 pm and 9 pm Log on to thespoorgEntry Rs 350 Rs 200 studentsAn epic retellingThe women from the epic of the Ramayana speak up about their lived experiences and alternate perspectives in the Assamese play Chandranakha that blends dance drama music and storytellingON December 7 6 pm and 9 pmLog on to thespoorgEntry Rs 350 Rs 200 studentsAlexander WrightPut on a showAlexander Wright of the awardwinning British theatremaker duo Wright amp Grainger takes a story and makes it better in this instructional workshop about turning seemingly ordinary ideas into extraordinary musical gigbased theatreON December 7 10 am onwardsLog on to thespoorgEntry Rs 1300 includes Rs 500 refundable depositPrithvi HouseKeep it realIf yoursquore an aspiring actor join in to witness Shivani Tanksale above unveil the secrets of the popular American Meisner technique that promises to help young actors ace the art of spontaneous authentic acting on stageON Today 9 am to 5 pmLog on to thespoorgEntry Rs 2500 includes Rs 500 refundable depositA touch of solidarityBengalurubased theatremaker Durga Venkatesan below takes a brave plunge in Touchy Topics an interactive play where audience members can leave imprints on the artistersquos body as a means to share and heal from past traumaON Tomorrow 5 pmLog on to thespoorgPrithvi AddaTake a seatStorytelling works both ways If you like the spotlight on yourself sit down to share your story at the Table and Stools booth lsquoTell us a story and wersquoll give you a chaklirsquo reads the logline of the event A free and fair deal we sayTILL December 7 7 am to 9 pmChanakya VyasRoom for allJoin writer Chanakya Vyas in a reading of his Hindi psychological thriller Jhund Come prepared for a conversation on trust betrayal conformity and rebellionON December 5 330 pmLog on to thespoorg