What could you do in 10 minutes? Catch up with the latest gossip, eat a packet of instant noodles or watch a performance at the upcoming Short and Sweet Festival. True to its name, the festival will showcase performances that will last 10 minutes each. Though originally an Australian concept brought to India by director Alex Broun in 2010, this year the festival will have only Indian content, with emphasis on different forms of theatre. “The festival shows the versatility of Indian theatre. We have tried to give the audience a taste of different forms of theatre such as mime, clown and Dastangoi, all in one evening,” says Deepak Dhamija, festival director. Visitors can see 10  plays under two hours. 

Cultural potpurri
Spread over two weeks, the festival will take you through political satires, comedies and tragedies every weekend followed by a finale on December 14. Delhi-based theatre group Beaten Gold will perform a comedic take on Charlie Chaplin joining Mahatma Gandhi on the Dandi March in the play — Gandhi, Chaplin and Salt. “Very few people know that Chaplin was an admirer of Gandhi and met him in Lon-don in 1931. True to Chaplin era, the play is silent, with 15 play cards to depict the thoughts of characters,” says Pramila Le Hunte, director.

Short cut 
For the first time in history, Delhiites can see a 10-minute version of Dastangoi — a traditional form of story-telling in Urdu. “It is the shortest Dastangoi I have ever written... My tale will revolve around the urban issue of a mobile phone,” says Ankit Chaddha, a 24-year-old storyteller in the city.

Clowning glory
Clown theatre is a favourite among audience of all age-groups. Dickheads by Ashwath Bhatt from Theatre Garage is a rags-to-riches story about two street kids. “The moment you make your audience laugh and think at the same time, it is great,” says Bhatt.

Catch it here
What: Short and Sweet Festival 
When: November 24 to December 14 
Time: 7.30pm onwards
Where: India Habitat Centre, Kamani Auditorium and Epicentre
For more info: shortandsweet.org
Tel: 9873810324
Tickets: Rs. 150 onwards (available at the venue)