Rupesh Tillu has been performing Madbeth for more than five years now, but he is still looking to improve it in more ways than one. The well-known theatre artiste from Mumbai says that he wishes to have his wife, Emma Gilljam, to perform on stage with him for Madbeth some day. “She is a pianist from Sweden and has been busy touring the world for the major part of our marriage,” says Rupesh, who founded the group Theatreact in 2012. Due to their busy schedules, Rupesh has to be content performing solo in his most popular work so far. This weekend, he is performing Madbeth for the first time in Pondicherry, during the ongoing Remembering Veenapani Festival, at Adishakti. “I once met Veenapani Chawla briefly when I came to Pondicherry and I must say it is an absolute honour to perform in this festival,” he says.
First conceptualised many years ago as a part of his thesis at the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts, the play is inspired by the titular character of Macbeth, but has a plot that is not similar to the original tragedy at all. Rupesh essays the character of Beth, who is mourning the death of his girlfriend and dog and takes us on a humourous journey in this hour-long interactive play. “The character, Macbeth, and the story of his rise and fall is one that’s relevant even today. I gave it a humorous twist, while rendering a few dialogues from the original script,” he says. Blending slapstick comedy with acrobatics, mime, songs and improvisations, Madbeth is sure to leave you in splits.
February 10.