Intimate Theatre describes a space which brings both the audience and performer together, by doing away with all the demarcations between the stage and the seating space. Padatik was one of the first Indian theatre groups to perform in such an intimate setting, and its founder Shyamanand Jalan inaugurated the first black box studio at Padatik Little Theatre I, with the production of Adhe Adhure, back in 1983. Vinay Sharma, the artistic director of Padatik, spoke to us about the Intimate Theatre Evenings which are scheduled to open this week.
Tell us all about the Intimate Theatre Evenings...
Intimate Theatre Evenings is a two-day festival, in tribute to our founder Shyamanand Jalan, where eight theatre groups from all over West Bengal will participate. The plays have been selected across three languages- English, Hindi, and Bengali, and fall within the short span of 23 minutes to 55 minutes each.
What inspired you to host this event?
We have often contemplated the idea of a small format festival and since last year, we are making a concerted effort to create an inclusive ambience, where newer theatre groups from within the city, and outside it, can come and perform.
We have been old that only eight groups have been selected to perform. On what basis were the various groups selected?
The groups are namely Bauria Peoples Repertory Theatre (Bisrajan), Rangprawah (Angira), Bibhaban (Durantara Di), Jadavpur Presidency Theatre Association (The Sweeties), Black Curtain Theatre (Kalpanik), Candid Theatre (Chit), Theatre Z (Antogine Sei Meyeti) and Antar-Ranga (Herow Rajar Kalandar). They were all selected through an internal assessment of proposals submitted by them. We had set our own criteria following which we shortlisted the names. Since we had very little time, it was not possible to include all of them.
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Why is Intimate Theatre Evenings restricted to theatre groups in Bengal?
A lot of intimate theatres is happening within our state. So it made sense to tap into that realm, which is available more locally. But this is just a beginning, and we might include some outstation participants in the future too.
How does the model differ from that of a theatre festival?
Our Intimate Theatre Evenings concept is idealistic in that it expects the groups to watch each other’s works-- to create a shared audience, and a shared experience. The model hopes to encourage an exchange of ideas, and further experimentation within the format of intimate theatre.
At Padatik Little Theatre II. June 8, 5 pm onwards and June 9, 3 pm onwards.