Remember the exploits of Swami, Mani and Rajam, the thick-as-thieves buddies from R.K. Narayan’s first novel, Swami and Friends? That wonderful novel which took you into a world of innocence, frolic and growing up?
Now, it makes a transition to the stage. The Madras Players, in association with youth theatre group Landing Stage, presents a theatrical adaptation of the novel.
Swami and Friends is the story of young Swami and his escapades with Rajam and Mani in the fictional town of Malgudi. It is set in late pre-Independence India.
Adapted by Manasi Subramaniam of Landing Stage, the play is directed by Aruna Ganesh Ram of Landing Stage.
The lighting design is by V. Balakrishnan, and the music has been scored by kanjira vidwan B. Shree Sundar Kumar.
Featuring Ujwal Nair, Shyam Sunder and Ajay Kumar as the boys and Sushila Natraj as Swami’s supporting grandmother, the play has a high-power support cast of stalwarts — P C Ramakrishna, Mohamed Yosuf, Shankar Sundaram and T T Srinath.
The play is conceived as a seamless narrative, filled with humour and old-world charm. It is faithful to the original novel, but adapted and directed with fresh perspective.
It will be staged on October 9, 10 and 11 at 7.15 p.m. at Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium, Mylapore. Donor passes are priced at Rs. 300, Rs. 200 and Rs. 100. For tickets, call 93819-11977 or 98400-80783.
