How many ways can you tell a story? The latest edition of the Hindu Theatre Fest in Hyderabad is an intriguing pastiche of very different stories that have just one thing in common. They have all been told before.
Now, they’re being translated afresh to the stage, tweaked, teased and tautened. Because the only thing better than a new story is a clever old story, newly told.
The 12th edition of the festival, which was launched in Chennai in 2005, begins on August 19 in Hyderabad and runs for three days at Ravindra Bharathi. This year it runs in three cities — Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad — and stages a total of nine unique productions.
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The Hyderabad chapter begins with The God of Carnage by QTP Productions. Since QTP’s mission statement is creating unique theatre experiences for audiences, it’s not surprising that they have chosen a deceptively simple story by Yasmin Reza to explore. The basic plot? Two children have a fight in a park. One suffers minor injuries. Their parents meet to discuss how to proceed.” And that’s how it all begins.
The play, originally written in French by Reza, then translated into English by Christopher Hampton, has popular for a decade now, inspiring several theatrical productions. It has even been made into a film called Carnage, directed by Roman Polanski starring Kate Winslet and Jodie Foster.
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Nadir Khan’s acidic version explores how quickly a superficially polite meeting can degenerate into a vicious, and unexpectedly comic, confrontation. The most compelling part? Let’s be honest. It could happen to anyone. Ultimately, this is a scathing story about what happens when people drop their masks. Need another reason to watch it? The sparkling cast: Shernaz Patel, Anu Menon, Sohrab Ardeshir and Zafar Karachiwala.
12 Angry Jurors
Nadir Khan is a busy man this festival. The next play, 12 Angry Jurors is directed by him as well, this time for Rage Productions. Fans of the Rage trio Rajit Kapoor will be delighted to see him in this version of Reginald Rose’s classic play, 12 Angry Men .
Although the original was written more than six decades ago, it never really faded away as director after director interpreted it differently on stages all over the world.
In the original, the 12 men were only identified by numbers. In a later production, it ran as 12 Angry Jurors. An all woman cast in America performed it under the name “12 Angry Women’ as far back 1955.
Khan’s chosen to do his version with a mixed-gender ensemble, looking at the actors as 12 very diverse characters. The story is about an 18-year-old boy who is on trial for murdering his abusive father. A jury of 12 deliberate on the case, and are just about to come to unanimous decision when one juror goes rogue. Since he presents the case in a new light, every juror needs to then re-open and re-examine the case, and with it their own attitudes.
As this taut, tense courtroom drama explores human nature, no obvious Indianisation was required to transplant the story.
However, Khan’s characters are decidedly Indian, and this version offers fresh perspectives and unexpected twists.
Dear Liar
Too much angst and drama? We also have a love story up our sleeves. One that is especially intriguing because it’s being retold by one of the most charming real life couples on the Indian stage: Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah.
Dear Liar dramatises the romance between Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw and Mrs Patrick Campbell, who was a popular English stage actress in the 1900s. They wrote to each other constantly over the 40 years of their “platonic love affair.” The play pieces together their correspondence to recreate this fascinating relationship on stage.
Written by American writer Jerome Kilty and directed by Satyadev Dubey, the story unfolds as Shaw (Naseeruddin Shah) and Campbell (Ratna Pathak Shah) read out their letters. It’s funny, it’s endearing, it’s emotional: the whole package.
Schedule and pricing
August 19 : The God of Carnage - Rs 600, Rs 400 & Rs 250
August 20 : 12 Angry Jurors - Rs 600, Rs 400 & Rs 250
August 21 : Dear Liar – Rs 1000, Rs 450 & Rs 250
Season passes at Rs. 1800 and Rs 1000
The Hindu Theatre Fest 2016
The Title Sponsor of the event is YES BANK. The Associate Sponsor is Telangana Tourism. The gift partner is Terra Earthfood. The Radio Partner is Chennai Live 104.8. The Merchandise Partner is Focus Art Gallery and the Event Manager is evam.