AISA KEHTE HAIN by Manav Kaul because of its romance, surrealism, songs and wonderfully interlinked stories which are simple yet striking.
Your favourite adda to see a play¡K
Prithvi theatre, of course!
Your favourite playwright
Manav Kaul, Mohan Rakesh.
Your favourite play-character¡K
Phool Singh in PIYA BEHRUPIYA, played by Neha Saraf.
A play you would like to see filmed. Why?
Can't say, because theatre and film are very different mediums of expression. A person with a good sense of both the mediums can adapt a good play to the screen.
A novel/short story you would like to see on stage? Why?
'The Birthday Present' by Andrea Lee and 'Chiddi Ki Dukki' by Ismat Chugtai.
The most hilarious play you have seen
There are several hilarious yet poignant plays I have seen- C FOR CLOWNS by Rajat Kapoor, SHAKKAR KE PAANCH DAANE by Manav Kaul, PIYA BEHRUPIYA by Amitosh Nagpal, SA HI BESURA by Makrand Deshpande.
A play, which is over-hyped
This is too controversial and subjective, but if I had to give an opinion, I would say that Shogo Ohta¡¦s THE WATER STATION, directed by Sankar Venkateswaran was a production I was not mentally prepared for as an audience member.
An important play (but ignored)
RED SPARROW by Manav Kaul.
A play character you would like to ¡§dialogue¡¨ with¡K
'Chai' in AISA KEHTE HAIN
A classical play that you should have read
ABHIGYAN SHAKUNTALAM by Kalidas.
A play that changed your perception about the theatre
C FOR CLOWNS, since it was the first play I saw as an adult. An entire play in gibberish, but it still managed to express the nuances of human relationships.
How do you regard the Mumbai theatre scene?
Thriving, buzzing, full of energy and ideas. Only wish there were more patrons for good theatre here.
Have you read any interesting books/articles concerning the theatre? Why did you find them interesting?
Since I am a drama teacher in schools, I have read a few books on drama in the classroom. All of them make very important points about the use and advantages of drama in a child's life.
If you have ever been a part of a theatre production/s, can you recall an event that was insightful, significant or simply humorous?
As part of Aranya, while rehearsing for the play LAAL PENCIL, one of the actresses, Akriti Singh, brought with her a camera to rehearsals one day. She asked all of us to think of the first three words that come to our head when we think of Aranya. She video recorded us and the very next day uploaded a wonderful video on Youtube. It was a lovely, nostalgia inducing video and the sheer power of her idea was inspiring.
Can you think of a foreign production that you found remarkable? Why?
As a child my father had taken me to see a stage production of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves¡¦ performed by a Russian ballet company. It was an experience I can never forget.
Your favourite director/actor/music or set designer¡K
Life in the theatre without the humble batata-wada or the cutting chai¡K or can you recall the best gastronomic experience you¡¦ve had in the precincts of the theatre to date?
Early morning poha-jalebi in the streets of New Market, Bhopal, topped off with coffee at the Indian Coffee House close by (during a show of LAAL PENCIL at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal).
Groups |
Hindi | Marathi | Gujarati | English | Reviews | Features | News | Gupshup | Artistes | Auditoriums | Theatre Speak | Workshops | Videos
Neha Singh
Which is the last best play you saw and why? 
Schedule
