The Shri Ram Centre stages its first live play today in a post-COVID setting while Akshara has two shows over the weekend. Team Viva assesses the mood of culture vultures

The good old theatre is taking a U-turn in our otherwise socially-distanced lifestyles. And Delhi theatre enthusiasts are definitely in for a treat as the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, Mandi House, has opened its doors for the first play to be showcased in the post-COVID era. Culture-starved and in revenge mode, aficionados have already booked all shows.

Rama Theatre Natya Vidya (RATNAV) in collaboration with Austrian Embassy, Austrian Cultural Forum, The Embassy of the Czech Republic and supported by Sideways Consulting, is set to present Giraftari, based on Franz Kafka’s novel, The Trial — today and tomorrow.

Media veteran and founder of RATNAV, Rama Pandey, also the director of the play, lists the necessary measures taken to follow the social distancing norms, due to which there will be only 50 per cent seat occupancy in the auditorium. The area is being sanitised before the play and every audience member will be given a complimentary mask. With Giraftari, Rama plans to “kickstart the theatre space which has been shut for the past few months.”

The Theatrician (in association with The Cacophonee), at Akshara Theatre, is set to present two ‘one hour, one act’ plays — The Red Hot Bombay Lovers and The Lockdown Lovers.

Being the first such play to be showcased in an indoor theatre, Anusuya Vaidya, co-founder, Akshara Theatre, talks about the safety protocols — 50 per cent auditorium occupancy, distanced seating availability, sanitisation after every show and masks for those who require.

However, a few questions arise here — even as all the norms are being followed, is there enough participation from the public to watch live shows? And why not continue showcasing it digitally until the situation gets into place?

Vaidya shares that Theatrician, the first theatre company to begin online theatre post lockdown, was “keen on resuming the theatre physically. They wanted to make the audience relive what theatre actually felt and experienced like. Performing spaces and arts have been adversely affected due to the pandemic and I think, now was the time to bring it on again. I am sure people have also grown bored of everything going online. In-person experiences have their own significance.”

As per the recent observations, she points out at how the amphitheatres have started grabbing attention again. “Even at Akshara, we can see the audience for the outdoor theatre growing, where a few comedies have been staged recently. This indicates that people now want to venture into the outdoor space once again. And when amphitheatres can grab attention, why not closed ones too? We are actually expecting a full house on Sunday. The response has been positive,” adds Vaidya.

Pandey says, “The last few months have been quite difficult for the theatre community. The impact of lockdown on performing arts has been immense. I am glad that we have got an opportunity to be the first play in the post-COVID era at the SRCPA. The show must go on!”

She adds that given the pandemic, “it is our responsibility to take adequate precautions and bring back our audience. It’s important that these spaces flourish again. Mandi House is the cultural heart of Delhi. We need to let it throb again and reignite the passion.”

Pandey believes that since the audience will be back, watching theatre, after a long time, the theme of the play should resonate with the public’s mind to grab more eyes. “The plot of Giraftari will remain relevant in all times as it addresses the plight of the common man in such scenarios,” she adds.

Set in contemporary Delhi, Giraftari is the story of a common Indian man, who has been alienated by society. Pandey uses a fusion of the lost Indian oral and folk forms in the play. Art forms ranging from Tasha Dhol and Nafiri instruments of the streets of Purani Dilli, can be seen, too.

Lending support to the initiative, Abhijit Avasthi, founder, Sideways, says, “Especially, in a time when most of us are finding it hard to make sense of what’s going on around us, we are certain that Rama ji’s adaptation with nuanced local sensibilities will leave a deep positive impact on the audience. It’s our privilege to partner with RATNAV and the Consulate of Austria in the staging of this timeless and important classic.”

Matthias Radosztics, Minister Plenipotentiary, says, “Although, the play was published a few years ago but keeping in mind the pandemic situation, the play is suitable for all! Its primary objective is to reach the common man in uncertain times.”

Directed by Tathagata Chowdhury, the play, The Red Hot Bombay Lovers, aims to explore the dark complexities and non-stop exuberance of humans, which aims at rejuvenating the public minds after seven months of lockdown and staying put.

Anusuya adds that the two plays are light-hearted comedies as “people now want to come back to entertainment.”

(The plays at Akshara will be staged on November 8 at 7 pm and 8.15 pm.)