Vidyun Singh, the Director of Programmes at India Habitat Centre, never shies away from giving credit where it’s due. It’s the simplest way of keeping people happy, which in turn goes a long way in guaranteeing greater professional returns, just like it’s been in the case of the ongoing Old World Theatre Festival at India Habitat Centre and Epicentre.The annual event calls for plenty of attentive planning, skillful research and painstaking trouble shooting, at which her motivated team is always ahead of their game. Due credit should is also in line for the genuine passion they all share for the performing arts.
The show this year opens with actor Kalki Koechlin’s directorial debut called The Living Room, a 90-minute English play that conceives a world where time is inconsequential. “I admire Kalki’s creative energy as an actor, both on screen and stage. She has a fearless, intelligent, irreverent, individualistic and wacky oeuvre, and I am sure her directorial debut will not disappoint,” says Singh. The other interesting play could be Deepal Doshi’s masked humour called It’s Not Waht You Tihnk, a 75-minute English play that attempts at displaying various archetypes dominant in the world we live. “The festival celebrates theatre in its myriad genres and expression and is not tailored for the the festive season per se, beyond providing an opportunity to enjoy the festive season watching some good plays. The selection combines the old with the new; mainstream and experimental; comedy and contemporary commentary; current social and historical reality, and surreal fantasy. The plays span an eclectic gamut,” says the curator, who has made sure to include God of Carnage, an 80-minute English play by Nadir Khan, in the line-up. It’s about two sets of parents, one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park. They decide to meet and resolve the issue in a dignified manner, but it’s far from what actually transpires. Singh, who had watched the play earlier this year at Kamani, was extremely keen to be able to bring it to Habitat’s theatre audiences. “It is a powerful play that engrosses and engages you in the true tradition of theatre. A strong script, powerful performances and skillful direction. A most satisfying theatre experience,” she says, sounding truly happy with what her team and she have put together this year.
Don’t miss the workshop on October 15, exploring the theme, exile and refugees, by Corinne Jaber. It’ll be an interactive session wherein all will be expected to come with a story related to one of the themes. With the help of your creative competence, experimentation, and various methods of storytelling, raw material will be converted into theatrical acts. Prior experience in theatre required. Fee is Rs 1,000.