Do you know how to train a zombie? Crea-Shakthi shows you how

It's time to face the zombies in Crea-Shakthi's next production by Yugesh RV
Scenes from the rehearsal
Scenes from the rehearsal

Can something as grotesque and creepy as a zombie make for the subject of a fun-filled and an interactive play? Yes, says Yugesh RV, the engineer-turned-theatre artiste, whose play How to Train Your Zombie returns this year (previously staged last year). Although zombies are mainly a work of fiction, there is a modern-day relevance to this subject which Yugesh did not miss.

“The entire play works as a metaphor for the failings of the human society. I wanted to convey what is wrong with us, albeit in a subtle and not so serious way,” says the 27-year-old director, who heads the content wing at Crea-Shakthi and trains schoolchildren in theatre.

Elaborating on the subject further, he says, “Children these days are very fascinated by the idea of zombies,” adding that this one-hour long interactive play has zombies trying to survive like humans after they have managed to wipe out (obliterate) the latter (remember Will Smith’s I Am Legend?) 

“My intention was to bring out the state of mankind as it is today without having to say it out loudly. The way we lead our lives now doesn’t make sense anymore,” the writer shares. The play takes a dig at human frailties and its repercussions on a personal, social and political note.  The play has a cast of five city-based theatre artistes  — Tarini NS, Keerthi Pandian, Anmol Oberoi, Hari Koushik and Jasdeep Jogi. When quizzed upon the response that unconventional narratives like his get, the writer says, “Content is what that strikes the chord,” and quotes the play, Frankly Speaking, one of Crea-Shakthi’s own works, for inspiring him to take the interactive theatre route.

He explains,“The audience will be given props and their involvement is interspersed throughout the play. There will be something unexpected happening always,” promising it to be a completely different experience for a regular theatre-goer.

With two singers in their cast, it also has live music by Jasdeep Jogi and Taarini NS. “The costumes portray a proper apocalyptic look, while the makeup has been done by Keerthi Pandiyan,” says Yugesh, who will next be seen directing a short piece in Crea-Shahkti's upcoming production, Women at War. 

At Madras Dance Arts. June 16-17. 7 pm and 4 pm, respectively. Tickets at Rs.200. 
 

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