BANGALORE: IN today’s world, the most that we interact with others is through SMSes and Facebook wall posts, and while going through the rigmarole, we probably don’t even realise that we are so technology dependent, and ultimately perhaps even disconnected. Dramanon, a theatre group in the city comprising a group of students, makes us realise through their play ‘Alarms and Excursions’ that the technology bug has cut deep into each of our lives.
Dramanon (Dramatist Anonymous), which was founded in 1991 and originally comprised students and faculty members of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), became a theatre banner officially in 2006. And since then they have done three productions, including ‘Alarms and Excursions’, which they are bringing to the city for the third time.
“The play, by Michael Frayn, is both farcical and comic. It consists of two playlets that share a central theme — a humorous and critical commentary on the disconnection between people. The play explores the obtuse humour in our off-the-hook relationship with ourselves and with each other,” said director Sharanya Ramprakash. The first playlet ‘Doubles’ involves two couples who check into identical hotel rooms next to each other and can hear each other’s conversation.
“Through this play, we slowly discover that the only thing that eventually separates them is the invisible walls in their own hearts,” said Sharanya.
The second playlet ‘Immobiles’, is an exploration of human disconnection in a world without mobile phones. A frustrated couple tries to coordinate a meeting place using an answering machine and coin- operated phone booth, for their foreign friend when he arrives at the airport; but the result of this techno faux pas is broken bones and broken hearts.
When asked why they had adapted Michael Frayn’s ‘Alarms and Excursions’, Sharanya says, “The thought process, which is quirky and comic, is a genre that our group found fascinating.
The immediate connect we had with the play was its relevance with today’s times — a world whose borders are shrinking through technological marvels, yet we find increasing intolerance, increasing misunderstanding and alienation between people.” Sharanya feels this play will force the viewers to critically assess themselves and their connection with the world.
“Our lives are so dependent on networking sites and mobile phones. I know a couple who broke up over an SMS. Many get hired over a telephone interview.
Most of our local coffee joints are Wi-Fi enabled. It’s remarkable how the script unerringly zeroes in on all the disconnection in the connection. The times of face to face chats and catching up over coffee are gone by.” The play cast includes Anshu Bora, Priya Venkatraman, Serena Punch, Deepanjan Dey, Nakul Bhalla, Siddhartha Rao and Payal Chowdhury.
This play which is 90 minutes long (with a 15 minute interval), will be performed at Ranga Shankara on June 5 at 7.30 pm and on June 6 at 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm. For booking, contact: 9845017975 or log on to www.indianstage.
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