The Hindu MetroPlus Theatre Fest first came to Coimbatore in 2010. And the tremendous response from the people here has it returning for the fifth year running. This time, there are three entertaining productions brought to the city by well-reputed theatre companies from Mumbai.
>Buy tickets for MPTF 2014 Coimbatore here.
The festival opens with Rafta Rafta , a funny and therefore feel-good tale of close-knit Indian families living abroad. This is followed by Mahadevbhai (1892-1942) where the protagonist (the only actor on stage) Mahadev Desai plays the roles of various people who were contemporaries of Gandhi. The festival concludes with more laughter with Noises Off , a play within a play, where an inept director and underwhelming cast and crew make a last ditch attempt to put up a production that they hope will save their theatre company.
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August 8
Rafta Rafta
120 minutes (with interval)
Akvarious Productions, Mumbai
Suitable for audiences over 16 years
It is the great big Indian wedding and the family and friends of the groom are living it up. But the brand new groom is anything but jubilant as the proximity to his rambunctious family inhibits him from consummating the marriage.
Of course, this does not remain a secret for long and soon the entire family is anxiously monitoring his every move. Inquisitive and meddlesome family members and an unhelpful Internet may make the groom miserable, but it cracks up everyone else.
August 9
Mahadevbhai (1892-1942)
90 minutes (no interval)
Working Title, Mumbai
Suitable for audiences above 9 years
Mahadev Desai, the secretary of Gandhi, meticulously noted down details of every letter written and received by the Mahatma, as well as his conversations and banter, lectures and discourses. In this play, one actor uses lively storytelling and humour to flesh out historical leaders such as Gandhi himself, Nehru, Patel and Ambedkar, among others. The play attempts to remind us of the values Gandhi ji stood for, that included religious tolerance, improving the status of women and doing away with biases of any kind. It also brings home the relevance of these values in our society today.
August 10
Noises Off
120 minutes (with interval)
The Company Theatre, Mumbai
Suitable for mature audiences
A fast sinking theatre company makes a last ditch attempt to save itself by putting up a sex comedy. It hopes such a production will give it an extended lease of life. But the inept cast and crew are hopelessly out of their depth and sink further in a quicksand of forgotten lines, missed cues, and wrong exits and entrances. Will this be their swansong?
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: PSG College of Arts and Science Auditorium, Avanashi Road
Tickets
Rs. 400, Rs. 250 and Rs. 100. Season tickets at Rs. 1,000 & Rs. 600
>Tickets for all shows can be purchased online here.
Tickets are also available at The Hindu office & RK Photocentre (Race Course and Saibaba Colony).
Helpline numbers
98406-12333/98402- 36367
SPONSORS
Title Sponsor: Bose
Associate Sponsors: Nippon Paint, MIOT Hospital, Ibaco
Event Manager: LIVE from EVAM
>See the full MPTF 2014 schedule here
Log on to >www.thehindu.com/theatrefest
Twitter:>@TheHinduTheatre
Facebook:>MetroPlus Theatre Fest 2014
