If you are bored of pre-independence sagas being played on stage time and again, and yearn for a new-age contemporary play on global affairs, The Wolf and the North Wind, opening in the city this week could be the way to go.
The play revolves around a leader wolf, and the Shaman who is trying to change the leader’s wicked dictatorial tendencies. “Most of the political plays performed in the city are from the pre-independence era. My play is about the challenges we are facing today. Contrary to popular perception, that women are not interested in politics, I follow the political developments around the world closely.
My play questions the ideals of dictatorship and democracy happening today,” says Pramila Le Hunt, writer and director. The play also traces aspects of human relationships when these two childhood friends come face to face because of their different choices in life. “My character tries to use every trick, from song and dance to games, and meditation to transform the dictator,” says Dilip Shankar who plays the Shaman. “He also gets wild and frustrated in this daunting task,” Shankar admits.
While the two are at odds with each other in a hot air balloon that reflects the dictators’ blown up ego, a riot breaks out among the general public on the streets about not wanting the dictator back on earth. “The scene is reflective of today’s need to move beyond dictatorship to better political systems. The idea struck me during an informal conversation with friend and playwright Danish Iqbal about Pervez Musharraf. I thought that it is not just Musharraf but a lot of dictators around the world who are misusing their power and people want change,” says Hunt.
{{/usCountry}}While the two are at odds with each other in a hot air balloon that reflects the dictators’ blown up ego, a riot breaks out among the general public on the streets about not wanting the dictator back on earth. “The scene is reflective of today’s need to move beyond dictatorship to better political systems. The idea struck me during an informal conversation with friend and playwright Danish Iqbal about Pervez Musharraf. I thought that it is not just Musharraf but a lot of dictators around the world who are misusing their power and people want change,” says Hunt.
{{/usCountry}}Performed in a mix of English and Hindi, the 60 minute story tries to keep you hooked, with the plot unfolding only in the end. “The fight between good and evil has been eternal. People always want to know who wins, which helps sustain their interest,” says Hunt. The play will also be performed at the Fringe Theatre festival in Edinburgh in August.
Catch it live
What: The Wolf and the North Wind
When: May 24 and 25
Timing: 7pm
Where: Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road
NEAREST METRO STATION: Khan Market on the Violet Line