Theatre takes a new form at Jagriti this weekend with the English play Mind Walking bringing elements of circus on stage
Theatre takes a new form at Jagriti this weekend with the English play Mind Walking bringing elements of circus on stage
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Good theatre in the city is not uncommon but most adhere to the conventional forms. This weekend, however, Jagriti Theatre plans to break all rules with the English play Mind Walking.
Introducing aerial trapeze on stage to chronicle the fate of a man delinked from reality, the play is produced by UK-based BandBazi and Mumbai's Q Theatre Productions. 
Written by Tanika Gupta, a playwright based out of UK and directed by John Binnie, Mind Walking explores what happens to a family when the mind of Bobbie, an elderly Indian man, unravels.
Quasar Thakore Padamsee, the assistant director of the play, explains that aerial cerceau or a circular hoop hanging from the ceiling would take the narrative forward. "It's an incredibly beautiful and versatile device. It becomes trees and takes many other forms.
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The hoop transcends the basic limits of the stage," shares Quasar. However he adds that introducing elements of circus in the play does not mean it is a clown show and does not involve bringing lions and tigers on stage.
Mind Walking peeps into the life of Bobbie, who has spent his growing up years in Britain. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he is admitted to a care home. His mind goes back in time to his childhood in Bombay in the 1940s.
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Bobbie's losing touch with the present time and space bothers his family members who feel that they are losing out on ways to communicate with him.
A walk back in time also makes Bobbie confess truths that come as a shock to his family. "It is a sweet and honest story that shows how a family comes to terms with the father figure growing old. The theme is universal as it deals with insecurities, search for identity and feeling of betrayal that exist in every family," says Quasar.
Describing the characters as strong and real, Quasar admits that the most interesting part is played by the person, who controls the hoop. "This person controlling the hoop is the most interesting image as he shows moving into the world and then coming back. It is an intangible image."
What attracts Quasar most to the play, however, is the fact that it talks about someone who has lived in the west for years embracing that life but still craves to return to his roots.
Where Jagriti, Ramagondanahalli, Varthur Road,
Whitefield
On November 12, 8 pm
November 13, 3 and 6.30 pm
Call 41242879
Foru00a0 Rs 500
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