Theatre fest brings top actors, directors to Gurgaon

Theatre enthusiasts in Gurgaon can look forward to some good stage performances on the coming days as the 14th Old World Theatre Festival commenced in Gurgaon on Saturday.

Theatre aficionados of the city can look forward to some good stage performances on the coming days as the 14th Old World Theatre Festival commenced in Gurgaon on Saturday.

Rajit Kapur in his play, One on One Part 2, during the Old World Theatre Festival at Epicentre, Gurgaon, on Saturday (ABHINAV SAHA/HT PHOTO)

In order to fulfil the commitment towards promoting and nurturing theatre and to stage the best plays of the year for the patrons of theatre in Gurgaon, Habitat World is organising the theatre festival from October 10 to 18.

This festival is an annual event organised by Habitat World.

Director Rajit Kapur’s critically acclaimed ‘One On One Part 2’ (a series of 10 monologues) that opened with a brilliant solo act by Anuradh’a Menon at Epicentre in Sector 44 enthralled the audience.

Talking more about the play, film and theatre actress Shernaz Patel said, “It is a lovely festival and I am happy to be a part of this event. I like the audience here. The play is a collection of short stories and it talks about life in India. It gives the viewer a good experience as one can see many shades of life.”

Director of the play Rajit Kapur said, “Young artists are joining theatre these days. It is a good indication.”

Apart from Rajit Kapur, the festival also featured actress Kalki Koechlin in a 90 minute tragicomedy ‘The Living Room’.

“The idea behind the festival is to bring the best of theatre around the country to the Delhi audience. This year, we were able to rope in some of the top names in the industry,” Aditi Chauhan, event-head of Epicentre, said.

Theatre enthusiasts have more to anticipate in the English play ‘Oh, My Sweet Land’, which makes its debut in Delhi and tells the story of the Syrian crisis.

Directed by Amir Nizar Zuabi, the story is narrated by a woman who is of a Syrian-German parentage. Corinne Jaber plays the protagonist, who is on a quest to find a missing man, a journey that takes her to Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

Those who missed the period drama ‘Ek Mulaqat’ when it was staged in the capital in September, get another chance to watch it when it is staged at the festival. The story features two eminent poets -- Sahir Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam — played by Shekhar Suman and Deepti Naval.

English play Spaces directed by Mohammad Ali Baig is another eagerly awaited act. It is a story set in a mansion and the protagonist is an artist, who struggles to preserve her identity and cherished heritage.

“Theatre has always been synonymous with the troubles of the masses. I feel it is a tool for self-discovery. It is a magnificent medium. I enjoyed the show,” said Aman Mehta, a resident of South City-II.