''Who hasn't heard of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, one of the greatest of his times. Ironically I haven't seen it being performed ever since I stepped into theatre.'', says Sunil Vishnu, producer, Evam.
With its Christmas premiere in Bengaluru and two packed houses, Evam is more than set to rock Chennai's stage, but with a difference. The difference comes in not just doing a classic, but also in the choice of a director, with the group putting up The Importance Of Being Earnest along with Landing Stage, the youth theatre group. Manasi Subramaniam who has scripted and produced many of Landing Stage's plays including Aladdin and the Magic Lamp and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is directing the play, adding to the kitty of accolades she has received for acting, set and light designing, all this at an early age of 22.
The youngest in the entire team comprising of cast and crew, she is possibly the youngest director the city has seen to produce a full-fledged professional if not commercial play.
''When directing a play, you need to be passionate about the script. This is one play I am already so passionate about.
So half the journey was made even before I started out to direct it,'' she adds.
As you watch her at rehearsals, the least one could call her is any actor's dream, especially in theatre where the balance between improvisations and the authenticity of the script is a fine line that is hard to keep and with no retakes.
Effortlessly Manasi keeps tab on her actors, most if not all, older to her by age and number of productions, taking frantic notes for a feedback session that is to follow. ''I've learnt a lot since the time I began directing this play in September, but I've never really had trouble getting my actors to do rehearsals which is almost always one of the biggest concerns when you are a young director,” explains Manasi.
''We have learnt a lot too. Working under a director as young as her, puts things in a different perspective for us too.
When you have come to the stage of having been there and done it all, you really need someone younger to come ahead and try the things you felt you'd never expect would work,” says Sunil.
The play in itself sticks to the original script, without adaptation, save the comical presence of actors on stage. A mix of a comedy and some serious lines thrown in at intervals, The Importance of Being Earnest is a watch for theatregoers rather entertainment lovers of any age.
The play will be premiered on January 16 and 17 at Chinmaya Heritage Centre.