Thespo: Theatre artistes from across India on one stage in Prithvi

The seven-day festival (December 18 to 24) will also see a string of workshops conducted by theatre veterans, live music performances in the evenings and smaller, fringe theatre performances.

Every year, the Thespo festival at Prithvi Theatre brings talented young theatre groups from across the country onto one stage. This year, the 19th edition brings together plays from Lucknow, Delhi, Ahmednagar and Mumbai – in Hindustani, Awadhi, Marathi and Hindi.

The seven-day festival (December 18 to 24) will also see a string of workshops conducted by theatre veterans, live music performances in the evenings and smaller, fringe theatre performances. (HT)

“We’ve selected these four for the one-hour slots from a total of 141 applications,” says Toral Shah, director of Thespo 19. “Each has a unique theme and subject.”

Lucknow-based Karooj Theatre Group’s Main Mera Baaja Aur Woh, directed by Shashank Dwivedi, is a quirky take on father-son rivalry. An electrician in a village hears a voice on the radio and believes it to be that of his estranged wife; matters get even more complicated when his son falls in love with the voice too.

Nirmiti Rangmanch from Ahmednagar is presenting Khataara, about a farmer’s life and his village’s development. “The play questions the value we humans attach to material possessions,” says director Amol Salve.

Delhi-based Manoj Yadav’s Hindustani play, Mrig Trishna, is about a eunuch named Noori dealing with rejection from society at large.

Trikon Ka Chautha Kon?, directed by Mumbai-based Atul Somkuvar, is about an author facing charges of plagiarism.

The seven-day festival (December 18 to 24) will also see a string of workshops conducted by theatre veterans, live music performances in the evenings and smaller, fringe theatre performances.

“It’s just a great way for youngsters to get a glimpse of serious theatre – and interact with each other,” says Shah. “After all, how often do budding actors get a chance to perform on the same platform as veterans like Naseeruddin Shah?”

WHAT: Thespo theatre festival

WHEN: December 18 to 24

WHERE: Prithvi Theatre, Juhu

Tickets are available online, prices start at Rs 200