KOCHI: The Trivandrum University College aims to recapture its glorious past in theatre by revamping its theatre activities. The college is officially inaugurating its theatre wing, ‘Campus Theatre’, with a two-day-long campus workshop that started on Tuesday at the Seminar Hall.
Satheesh G Nair, director of the campus theatre group, said the workshop is an attempt to carry forward the college’s tradition in theatre. “The theatre wing of the campus which was formed in 1977 was very active,” said Satheesh. “It was reputed with many noted personalities, including poet and playwright Satchidanandan and Ayyappa Paniker, being part of it. When veteran film actor and theatre activist Narendra Prasad came as teacher to the English department, he too made an impact. However, the group had been pretty much been inactive for around 20 years now.”
The workshop will have the participation of noted cine and theatre actor Alancier Ley Lopez, who will also inaugurate the event, and Gireesh Sopanam, creative head, Sopanam Institute of Performing Arts, as well as the winner of the Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Akademi award. Dr Raja Varier of the Centre for Performing and Visual arts, will speak on the topic ‘Arangum Samvidhanavum’, while Gireesh Sopanam will elaborate on ‘Abhinaya Pathangal’ on day two.
Speaking on future activities of the group, Satheesh said, “The group plans to conduct frequent workshops, which will go through the A to Z of theatre. All the technicalities, not just acting, but also direction, scripting and so on, will be taught. Then we will start with small skits, after which we plan to proceed to street plays.”
Stating the aim is to make Campus Theatre a noted entity in theatre, Satheesh said, “ We are hoping to come up with major productions which can be staged outside the campus, in various parts in the city.”