Past Forward: Qadir Ali Baig Foundation brings two musicals for the 'Theatre Weekends'

For its third season, the theatre foundation features Denzil Smith's Bombay Jazz and Sharon Prabhakar's That's Life. 
Past Forward: Qadir Ali Baig Foundation brings two musicals for the 'Theatre Weekends'

When theatre group Qadir Ali Baig Foundation comes together with renowned artistes such as English theatre actor Denzil Smith and singer Sharon Prabhakar, everyone takes notice. Now in its third edition, “Theatre weekends,” a monthly-affair that ropes in artistes from across India, is commemorating the 33rd death anniversary of theatre personality Qadir Ali Baig, father of founder Mohammed Ali Baig, this weekend. The event will feature two musicals, Bombay Jazz and That’s Life.

Jazz it up
Taking you back to the city of dreams in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, Bombay Jazz, tells the tale of Goan and Anglo-Indian musicians who brought jazz influences to Hindi movies. Directed by Mumbai’s Etienne Coutinho, the one-act play will feature actor-producer Denzil Smith and popular saxophone player Rhys Sebastian D’Souza. The theme is based on a teacher-student relationship and the former’s struggles and dreams as one of the Goan musicians. “I play the role of the mentor. A decade ago, writer Ramu Ramanathan and I had this idea and we did immense research, along with associate Naresh Fernandes,” says Mumbai-based Denzil, adding that the stories of many such musicians have been combined to make one man’s tale.

In tune with herself
Driven by the idea of bringing people closer through sharing life experiences, Mumbai theatre artist Sharon Prabhakar, who will perform the second play That’s Life, says that the semi-autobiographical drama has a mission. “Often when I see posts on social media, it scares me. Everybody tries being happy and content. One cannot always have a happy life, and it’s okay to have ups and downs. I’m trying to emphasise this by sharing my story,” the 61-year-old explains. From moving to Mumbai with just `15 to growing as a popular Bollywood singer, Sharon will present her life story, interspersed with her own songs, on stage. Talking about her association with the 12-year-old theatre foundation, Sharon says, “I’ve worked with the Baigs for years now. They’re an umbrella for theatre artistes.”

Sharon Prabhakar
Sharon Prabhakar

At Radisson Blu Hyderabad. From 7.30 pm. 
Bombay Jazz on July 7, That’s Life on July 8. 
Details: bookmyshow.com 

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