shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > Mumbai Guide News > Things To Do News > Article > Staging a milestone

Staging a milestone

Updated on: 19 February,2021 09:20 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Sukanya Datta |

Lillete Dubey’s theatre company is making a post-lockdown comeback with a much-loved production that completes 630 shows

Staging a milestone

Joy Sengupta and Suchitra Pillai comprise the cast of Dance Like A Man

March 2021 was supposed to be a grand affair for theatre-maker Lillete Dubey, with a month-long festival to celebrate her group, The Primetime Theatre Co’s 30th anniversary. With the theatre world still treading cautiously in the wake of the pandemic, the festivities may take off in the latter half of the year. But for now, Dubey and co. are set to make a post-lockdown comeback this weekend with a milestone production hitting 630 shows.


It’s exciting for Dubey to be back on stage at Prithvi Theatre after the pandemic-imposed hiatus with Dance Like A Man, a play that’s close to her heart, having catapulted her collective into the spotlight back when they were just starting out in the early ’90s, she says. The play — written by Mahesh Dattani — has extensively toured the world, with a cast comprising Ananth Mahadevan, Joy Sengupta, Suchitra Pillai and Dubey, who call themselves the “Dance family”. Having set up a company to showcase original Indian writing to the world, Dubey recalls hunting for a play that fit the bill, and eventually flying down to Bengaluru to meet Dattani. “At a time when people were only used to “proper” English plays, our idea was to subvert that and speak the language like we do, with all our [vernacular] accents. The day it opened in 1995, is seared in my mind since this was an unconventional story,” she tells us.


Ananth Mahadevan and Lillete DubeyAnanth Mahadevan and Lillete Dubey


Since then, the tale — which revolves around Jairaj and Ratna, two ageing Bharatanatyam dancers, and their daughter Lata, who is on her way to becoming an established dancer — has won many hearts, from the affection of a teary-eyed Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to a surprise “rave review” in the New York Times. “On the surface it’s a comic family drama, but it touches upon so much from gender and generational conflict to relationships and ambitions, packed with drama and humour,” Dubey elaborates. Its universal appeal is also possibly the reason that the director is planning a sequel to the production, she reveals.

Dubey, who’s steered clear of digital productions in the lockdown, is looking forward to performing live. “My love is theatre, and one of its greatest appeals is that we don’t perform in a vacuum. We perform with you, the audience,” she signs off.

On February 20 and 21 
Log on to in.bookmyshow.com 
Cost Rs 500

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK