Following years of powdering noses and applying shades on performers, a group of backstage artistes take to performing. Their Kannada play will be an ode to the life and times of Charlie Chaplin, based on several incidents and his journey as a renowned filmmaker in the black and white era of movies
BENGALURU: Make-up is their passion. Gururaj, popularly known as Guru in theatre industry took it up at the age of 19.
Having decided to dedicate his life to theatre, Gururaj and his other five friends kept observing the nuances of organising a play — how scripts are made, how the artistes prepare themselves, how the audience is brought in.
After researching and working as make up artistes for nine years, they took the plunge and started the Dramatricks theatre group.
Ahead of their second performance of Abhinava Chaplin at Kengal Hanumanthaiah Kala Soudha on October 29, Guru tells us that through their group, they encourage amateur theatre artists and directors.
“While organising a play looked easy as a makeup artiste, we did not know the process would be so expensive. But after we formed our own group, we realised that it requires a lot of money,” he shares. But they are happy about their stint. They plan to make it big. “We keep the profits we earn aside to invest again in the next play. Our next is Abhinava Chaplin," he adds.
The play is inspired by the love the artistes have for Charlie Chaplin. The 90-minute play is directed by Satish Ithal and written by N C Mahesh. “He is the only actor who stood against Hitler and raised a voice with his movies,” explains Guru.
The play is based on a scene from Chaplin's movie 'Limelight'.
“The play is in Kannada and lead actor Krupakar will play the role of Chaplin. The play attempts to prove that Chaplin’s comedy is evergreen. It depicts it through a play based on his life incidents and his filmmaking. The elements, which Chaplin did not wish to register in his autobiography has been picked up and narrated here. For instance the hurdles he faced during the making of the movie Circus and a few tragedies related to his marital life are added in the play,” Guru explains.
The play has about 11 actors, many of whom are comedians themselves.