Even as numbers of theatre aficionados in Mumbai gets bigger, youth-based theatre group Thespo, is seeing a downfall in quality of plays from participants in Mumbai. Hindi and Marathi theatre from small-town India is ruling the roost
Even as numbers of theatre aficionados in Mumbai gets bigger, youth-based theatre group Thespo, is seeing a downfall in quality of plays from participants in Mumbai. Hindi and Marathi theatre from small-town India is ruling the roost
Circa 2005: Four young theatre-enthusiasts - Jay Krishnan, Nimi Ravindran, Ajay Krishnan and Sujay Saple came together to etch out a satire on the (at that time) current status of freedom of speech in the country. 
Chakra by Pune-based group Natak, stole the show at last year's Thespo
Called Butter and Mashes Banana, the hilarious comedy spiralled over the next 60 minutes and created a furore of joy among its viewers. The reception couldn't have been more equivocal - applause and pride. For the passing out Thespo class of 2005, this group had nailed the language of theatre and drama. That year, the Mumbai group walked away with Best Play, Best Script, Play Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the showcased screening at the end of three-month long intensive theatre programme. That was the last time Mumbai presented a noteworthy English play.
Cut to 2011, and Thespo 13 is yearning for a greater participation by the city, which initiated the prestigious platform for theatre. At this year's orientation, held at Prithvi Theatre recently, 110 hopeful candidates filled the small viewing room of Prithvi House to take a shot at the auditions to be held in October. The roomful of collegians, from 21 to 25 years, listened carefully. The agenda was set. Mumbai needs to devote more time to theatre. "You need to take this seriously. We need you to show us that you need this as much," counseled previous Thespo member Abhishek Sahav.
Festival co-ordinator Vidisha Kanchan echoes the thought - "In the past three years, Mumbai hasn't given one good English play. Marathi and Hindi theatre is grabbing attention and rightfully so. The participants who make it are motivated enough to be showcased," argues Vidisha. According to her, English theatre has more than enough exposure and the playwrights already have enough financial resources, without Thespo. Not just that, but cities including Pune, Nagpur and Kolkata are delivering award-winning performances.
"Last year Pune showcased three brilliant plays. The winning Chakra was in Hindi and they did a fabulous job at putting it together. At the same time, Mumbai only had one," she says. Spreading their wings a little further, Thespo is planning on having another orientation session for the colleges on the Central line sometime at the end of the month. "We will announce the dates soon," Vidisha informs.
Nagpur is another city that Thespo is looking forward to tapping into, with their stellar performance with seven plays that were selected for showcase last year. "There is plenty of talent emerging from here and we are looking forward to a hopeful winner this year," shares Vidisha.
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