The Stage is Materializing: Material and materiality in theatre
What do tea cups, salt shakers, Dame Judi Dench, and bits of PVC tubes all have in common? They have all played prominent roles in critically acclaimed and thought-provoking theatre around the world. Material has always been part of the general world of theatrical performance, serving as props, sets, costumes, make up, lights and sound. Everything we see when we watch a play which isn’t a human body is technically “material” of course. Yet, when we speak of “Material Theatre”, we’re…
FLYING SOLO: Maya Krishna Rao in conversation with Nimi Ravindran
Loved and respected by theatre-makers across the country and abroad, the indefatigable Maya Krishna Rao continues to be an inspiration for the next generation of artists. Although we know of her as a powerhouse performer, Maya has juggled many hats over the years, including that of teacher, educator and mentor. Having premiered her latest show in Delhi she talks to Nimi Ravindran about life, work, politics and her new show, intriguingly titled: Loose Woman N: Solo performers often refer to…
Modern theatre, Mumbai and Indian aesthetics
By Tanvi Parekh, Kathak dancer and travel scribe He shares a love-hate relationship with Mumbai, the city which is at the heart of most of his plays. She has been lighting, directing, and conducting workshops all across Mumbai. The two collaborated for Ambu and Rajalakshmi, officially. But unknown to Ramu, she has lit most of his play-productions for the past few years. Gurleen Judge and Ramu Ramanathan kick-start the Conversations@theDSM series, a celebration of the guru-shishya…
A Look Back: Conversations@theDSM with Shernaz Patel
Conversations@theDSM has brought theatre veterans and raw talent together to discuss myriad nuances of drama and theatre. Last week, actor Shernaz Patel came to DSM to speak on theatre and share her experiences. Shernaz was interviewed by Manjiri Pupala, a talented actress and an award-winning documentary film-maker. With a gathering of 50 people, Shernaz was able to mesmerise the audience by narrating tales from her early theatre days.
Explorations with Body, Sound and Space with Sanjukta Wagh
The Drama School Mumbai has arranged yet another Foundation Skills in Acting workshop in November. Conducted by dancer-actor Sanjukta Wagh, ‘Exploration with Body, Sound and Space’ will focus on learning to imbibe elements of sound and movement to enhance performance. The workshop will use learning processes developed by Sanjukta which comprise of various methodologies - classical and contemporary dance techniques, Hindustani classical music, Voice-Movement therapy, Yoga, and improvisation…
Performance@theDSM: Backstagewala Koni
Every theatrewala has a burning desire to perform onstage, but what one encounters before being onstage is the world of the inglorious backstage. Backstagewala Koni is a narrative that gives inner shades from the life of a struggling actor who wants that one desperate chance to prove himself and satisfy his longing passion. He tries hard, struggling to enter a theatre group, to get even a single entry on the elusive stage. The performance humorously represents the variety in the life of…
Conversations@theDSM: Shernaz Patel and Manjiri Pupala
After a small break in September, Conversations@theDSM is back in October! This month we have veteran theatre actor and co-founder of RAGE Productions, Shernaz Patel, who will be interviewed. Shernaz has an immense experience in acting, not only in theatre, but also in films and TV. A multi-talented thespian, Shernaz was born and brought up in a theatre family as her parents, Ruby and Burjor Patel, have been two of the most prominent figures in Gujarati theatre. Shernaz Patel will be taking us…
Weekend Acting Programme with Maneesh Verma
The DSM's Weekend Acting Programme is back! This time we have actor, director, producer, and Artistic Director of the Actors’ Cult Theatre Company, Maneesh Verma, conducting this acting workshop over three consecutive weekends. The details of the workshop are as follows:
Mohit Takalkar is a medium between the writer, the text and the actor
Written by Gaurangi Dang If we cannot handle the economics of theatre then what remains of it is a hobby, albeit a very expensive one. So maybe we don’t need theatre anymore and maybe somewhere we are all responsible for its slow death. Mohit Takalkar has an ability that very few people seem to have- he can move people, to an extent that may even infuriate them. It’s hard to tell when and where it began, but one can see its trace present in his work. There is a little bit of him in each…
Pai Paishachi Goshta: Play@theDSM
People have changed with the changing times. The parameters of happiness have changed. Also the approach towards the practical and financial affairs has changed. An old lady summarisesthis change in her own words. A story of an old lady "Pai Paishachi Goshta" Pai Paishachi Goshta is based on a story by eminent writer Dr. Vijaya Rajadhyaksha. Adapted and directed by Vipul Mahagaonkar, the play had its first show in 2015, and has had numerous shows across the country. The play has also won a lot…