BENGALURU: A serial killer is on the loose and Woody Allen fans in the city are going to join the hunt with a dark comedy tonight. This play was staged three years before but was met with lukewarm reception but Avinash Daniel, who graduated from the New York Film Academy, believes that the city is now ready for it.
“I have realised that there are quite a few Woody Allen fans in Bengaluru,” says Avinash, who is directing the play. To appeal to the Bengalurean crowd, the play set in 1960s New York, has been tailored to Bengaluru life.
That is why you will find an IT professional as the protagonist and not Woody Allen’s original ‘salesman’. “We have many IT jokes in store,” he laughs, without giving away the jokes.The play, titled Death, centres around Peter, a techie, who is in pursuit of a homicidal maniac on a killing spree. The one protagonist meets 17 characters, including a doctor and a prostitute, all eventually ganging-up to find out who the real killer is.
When this particular play was staged before, the response though “okay”, was not as expected, says Avinash. “I think Bengaluru is now ready for dark humour, judging by the kind of sitcoms we watch,” he adds.
The 29-year-old also believes that stand-up comedy dominates the entertainment scene in the city, but audience should also acknowledge theatre, especially if it comes with a dose of humour.
The one-hour play will be staged today at Rangoli Metro Art Center at 7.30pm.
Eight week course in filmmaking
Avinash gave up engineering to pursue film making. His initial struggle in the industry lead him to realise the need for a curated filmmaking course. So after completing his graduation, Avinash opened Avinash Daniel Production Academy on St Marks Road. In February of this year, he conducted the academy’s first eight-weekend course. The second workshop will start on October 14, and the course is open to actors as well as filmmakers.