MYSORE: The weekend theatre programme at Rangayana, the theatre repertory here, is likely to be reduced to a day in the light of hectic programme schedules for 30-odd artistes of the repertory.

Scaling down the show to only once a week may begin soon after the artistes of Rangayana return from vacation in June.

Reckoned to be unique, the weekend theatre offered wholesome entertainment to theatre buffs of the city in the last four years. Rangayana is the only theatre repertory to have witnessed continuity in the weekend theatre from the time of its inception during the stewardship of theatre director Prasanna.

Rangayana Director Chidambara Rao Jambe told The Hindu that the reduction in the number of shows per week by the Rangayana artistes had become imminent as a large chunk of the time is devoted for theatre and its related activities planned by the repertory. Shortly, the shows would be staged only on Sundays at Bhoomigeeta Auditorium, he said.

Mr. Jambe said: "Rangayana has increased its portfolio from being a theatre group. Artists are now involved as resource persons in Chinnara Mela, Navarathri Rangotsava, children's theatre, training of artistes from amateur theatre groups and college students."

Besides organising Bahurupi, the annual national theatre festival consumed resources leaving artistes with little time to participate in new productions, he said.

Mr. Jambe said even during free time, artistes were not getting more than four days to rehearse and produce new plays. He said:

"During the week-end theatre, artistes would be busy preparing for shows on Saturday and Sunday while they had their weekly holiday on Monday.

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