Get ready theatre lovers – the MetroPlus Theatre Fest comes to Kochi for the first time this August. Known for showcasing quality national and international theatre since its launch in Chennai in 2005, the fest has grown considerably over the years.
The inaugural edition of the Fest in Kochi features three fine plays – the free-flowing ‘The Blue Mug', with a star-studded cast that includes Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey and Rajat Kapoor; the funny yet profound ‘ One on One', showcasing the work of some of Mumbai's best known playwrights and directors; and the quirky ‘Ms. Meena', which arrives after travelling across the country, from Chennai to Hyderabad to New Delhi.
The Fest will run from August 5 to 7, at the Kerala Fine Arts Hall, Fine Arts Avenue. All shows start at 7. 30 p.m. Here's a preview of what we have lined up for you:
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The Company Theatre
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August 5
This play comes to Kochi after a successful run in the U.S., Europe and Singapore. Loosely based on the bestselling book ‘The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat' by neurologist Oliver Sacks (a series of case histories of his patients), it explores personal narratives of memory, and their free-flowing form. Directed by Atul Kumar, ‘The Blue Mug' is anchored by the performances its star cast, with a strong emphasis on improvisation. Indeed, there is no single playwright for this piece of theatre; ‘The Blue Mug' is a devised performance, put together by the entire team.
One on One
Rage Productions
(Mumbai)
August 6
This unique theatrical evening consists of eight sharp and hilarious monologues and dialogues in both English and Hindi. Put together by talented playwrights such as Anuvab Pal, Ashok Mishra, Farhad Sorabjee, Oliver Beale, Purva Naresh and Rahul Da Cunha, and well-known directors Akarsh Khurana, Kunaal Roy Kapoor, Nadir Khan, and Rajit Kapur, it tackles issues relevant to all urban Indians, everything from inedible airline food and Indian bureaucracy to attitudes towards homosexuality and the experience of moving to a big city. The result is a series of stories that range from laugh-out-loud funny to deeply insightful and emotionally resonant.
Ms. Meena
Perch (Chennai)
August 7
‘Ms. Meena,' premiered at the MetroPlus Theatre Fest 2010, the result of collaboration between the Goethe Institut, Pro-Helvetia and The Hindu. Inspired by the classic play ‘The Visit' (1956) by Swiss-German playwright Friedrich Durrenmatt, and based on an original story by Rashmi Ruth Devadasan, it tells a tale of revenge and heartbreak, revolving around aging queen of the silver screen, Ms. Meena, and her return to her native village to make her final film. Directed by Rajiv Krishnan, the play is striking in its inventive use of props, and engaging use of live music, based on improvisation by the actors.