BENGALURU:Nukkad theatre resembles journalism, as it communicates ongoing current affairs through drama. Much like the fast-paced world of the media, each of the episodic performances have relevance to the most pressing news each month.“For example, Nirav Modi and the Kathua incident were in the news when we did our first episode. They got replaced by the Karnataka elections in May, and the focus has shifted this month again,” says Prataya Saha, creative director.
The unconventional storytelling form of street theatre includes a single actor playing multiple roles, therefore requiring unique preparation as well. “There’s singing, jumping, talking, changing voices for different roles – all of which require actors to be quick on their feet. Accordingly, they will undergo martial arts training to be fit, flexible and to make formations,” says Anshulika Kapoor, founder and producer of production house, Red Polka Productions.
For instance, if someone had to play the role of a horse, they would have to be on all fours for as long as needed. Nukkad is Anshulika’s baby, and she emphasises the fact that actors don’t just enact whatever they are offered in the scripts. It requires more involvement.“There is no script to begin with. The whole team sits down together to do research on current affairs. Actors write their own dialogues and train in voice modulation. They have to feel the issue, as Nukkad is historically cause-based,” Anshulika adds.
The idea behind this form is to put a seed into people’s minds, the group says. Their first episode, titled Who cares?, was about fake news.
The second version of episode one is directed by Abishek Iyappan. Though the topics are not finalised yet, it may be a satirical take on the Assam mob lynching of two men due to fake news shared on WhatsApp, or about child abductors, rains, traffic, Cauvery issue and other Bengaluru-related issues, the founder reveals.Their next play will be staged on June 23 at 7 pm at Untitled Space, JP Nagar.