Just dream on…

An evening at the Kingdom of Dreams speaks of the magic of theatre

September 19, 2014 08:12 pm | Updated 08:12 pm IST

A scene from a production at Kingdom of Dreams

A scene from a production at Kingdom of Dreams

It is the power of the theatre to create magic that has lent it an incredible enduring power to survive over the centuries. In India commercial theatre companies with rudimentary devices created miracles on the stage that stunned the audience. However, Kingdom of Dreams, Gurgaon has made it possible with the application of advance technology to suffuse the stage with other worldly enchanting ambience that cast spell on the audience. With blending of story, choreography, music and fantastic lighting effects, the theme of victory of good over evil is revealed in a seamless manner at Kingdom of Dreams this past week. This captivating experience one went through while watching fabulously conceived new venture Wizwits, a musical staged at the newly built auditorium entitled ShowShaa.

As one enters the premises of the Kingdom of Dreams, one becomes aware of an uncanny ambience in sharp contrast to the stark reality outside. It is adorned with huge sculptures of elephants. To add grandeur to the atmosphere there is a fountain with constant flow of water. The images of beautiful females enrapture the visitors. To the left side of the auditorium there is a culture gully. Women, men and children in their best attire occupy the elegantly decorated space. The bar and the restaurant serve clients with a style that is heart-warming. According to Ayesha Dahra, this gully is the unique place where one can savour the recipes of 14 Indian States. The variety of delicacies served here will definitely delight the heart of a gourmet. In the words of Ayesha, the restaurant in Kingdom of dreams is a microcosm of the best foods from 14 states with special focus on delicacies from Lucknow”.

There are singers and dancers who perform. If the aroma of food is an appetizer, the sound of music and dance movements is the source of visual and aural delight. Now it is time to watch the production of Wizwits at ShowShaa Theatre that follows high technology. “Alongside the design and creativity, ShowShaa Theatre also delivers the best back-stage facility with six green rooms required for the perfect entry and exit through all the ends of the stage to excite and engage the audiences”. It has already Nautanki Mahal said to be “India’s first dynamic state of the art 4D theatre”. In the dimly lit auditorium one is awestruck to see the dream-like atmosphere in the auditorium with many-splendored beauty of design. The walls of the auditorium which project myriads images and the fantastic spectacles on the stage transport one into a dreamland.

Its earlier productions Zangoora, The Gypsy Prince, Jhumroo and Jhoomo Nacho Gao were remarkable for their spectacular shows with mesmerizing impact on the audience.

Eminent theatre director Lushin Dubey in collaboration with Bubbles Sabharwal adapted Wizwits from a story by Roald Dahl and directed the play. It is a musical fantasy by the young for the children. It features 20 performers, including Nargis, a bubbly little girl who acts and sings with fervour. After the show the performers, directors, designers, music composure and choreographers interact with the guests who are served high tea. How Lushin reacts to the use of advance technology because she has been following realistic style of production? She says, “If technology is available one should use it because it imparts a new dimension to the production in terms of its visual and aural expressive powers”. Most of the performers are appearing on the stage for the first time. They are immensely happy with the prospect of playing their roles till December 2014. The little Nargis is happiest of all. As one comes out of the restaurant one sees an artist in the costume of monkey. He goes to the Gully to entertain children with the enactment of monkey-like antics.

Now it’s time to leave the Kingdom of Dreams but the memory of this lovely evening will linger in the memory for a long time.

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