It’s a good week for theatre lovers in the city. Theatre giants Motley bring to town the production, A Walk in the Woods, starring Naseeruddin Shah and Rajit Kapur, while Karl Marx in Kalbadevi looks at what Karl Marx would have thought of India had he lived in Mumbai. Also in store are adaptations of German and American productions. Read on to find out more:
A Walk in the Woods
Directed by Ratna Pathak Shah and produced by Randeep Hooda and Faisal Rashid, this play is an adaptation of Lee Blessing’s play about an American and a Russian diplomat. In this adaptation, diplomats of Pakistan and India, Jamaluddin Lutfullah (Naseeruddin Shah) and Ram Chinappa (Rajit Kapur), meet in Geneva during the Partition era. “When I read the Randeep and Faisal adaptation, I was immediately drawn to it and made up my mind to direct this play. We adapted it in a way that it resonates with the Indian subcontinent. It was and is always a delight to direct such phenomenal actors,” says Ratna. The play is in aid of Sightsavers India, an NGO that works with the visually impaired.
Rs. 1,000 upwards. June 30, 7 pm. At MLR Convention Hall, Whitefield
Karl Marx in Kalbadevi
Among the controversial historical figures from across the world is Karl Marx — more often misunderstood than understood for his philosophy and approach to economics. Mumbai-based theatre group, Ideas Unlimited, has taken it upon itself to set the record straight. Their latest production, Karl Marx in Kalbadevi, a Hinglish play, will premiere in Bengaluru tonight. A solo performance, directed by well-known theatre personality Manoj Shah, the play explores the ideas of Marxism and how it is relevant in today’s day and age. “We are all loaded with misconceptions about Karl Marx and Marxism. I have tried to simplify it to make people understand it in today’s context and how money has ruled over the masses,” says Manoj. The idea to keep this in Hindi and English (Hinglish), the director says is to be able to reach out to the masses. “It is not a play only for the elite,” he concludes.
Rs. 100. June 29, 7.30 pm. At Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar
Peer Pleasures
Goethe-Institut’s German Spotlight, presented by Sandbox Collective presents English translations of plays by contemporary German playwrights. Peer Pleasures (Lieblingsmenschen), originally by Laura de Weck, will be directed by city-based theatre maker Karen D’Mello. The play is about six students struggling to find their way through their dreams, their longings and insecurities. “While on the first reading, the lives of the characters may seem immature, the playwright delves into their desire for a meaningful life through the dialogues. This excited me about the text and that’s how I chose it,”
says Karen.
Entry free. June 30, 7 pm. At Goethe-Institut Bangalore, Indira Nagar
Raja Simha
The Indian Development Foundation presents this musical based on the American Broadway production of The Lion King. Dr. Sanjay Shantaram, the director says, “While the storyline is the same as The Lion King, this is an Indiased version. Apart from the costumes and the names, we have incorporated Bharatanatyam into our performance. In some of the fight scenes in the end, we have used Kalaripayattu as well.” All the proceeds will go towards the foundation which works to improve health and education for the underprivileged.
Rs. 750 upwards. June 30, 3 pm. At Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Malleshwaram
The Zoo Story
This drama by director Subhabrata Kundu is based on the 1958 play by the American playwright Edward Albee. “The play addresses themes of loneliness and depression,” says the director. “It
is the story of a lonely young man in a very big city,” he adds. The man befriends another man in
a park and opens up to him, and that leads to some catastrophic results. The play is inspired by
theatre of the absurd.
Rs. 200. June 30, 4.30 pm and 7.30 pm. At Rangasthala Auditorium, MG Road
