Let`s have some chai, shall we?” Antonia Collins had us at the chai request. She was warm, full of beans and an interviewer’s delight, thanks to the anecdotes and episodic footnotes that she would insist on sharing after every question. Back in early March, as part of a plan for the Women’s Day special for The Guide section, I had the opportunity of interviewing this British professional, along with her younger colleague, Avafrin Mistry. Both stage managers were part of Sir Tom Stoppard’s hit production, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour that was doing its second run of shows in the city.

On the day that I met them, I learnt that rehearsals were cancelled as the play’s director Bruce Guthrie, who is also the head of theatre at NCPA, was unwell. So I had some extra quality time, which in hindsight was a blessing.