Theatre Speaks

Bijon Mondal
Director, Actor
[Hindi Theatre ]
BIJON MONDALWhich is the last best play you saw and why?

Arpana's STORIES IN A SONG. I liked the play because of its ensemble cast, music, set, lights, design and direction. All the aspects of theatre are in total control, which gives the audience a spectacular play and this is only possible because of the genius Sunil Shanbag.

Your favourite adda to see a play...

Prithvi Theatre as always.

Your favourite playwright...

Dharamveer Bharti. When I read his play ANDHA YUG many years back, I was completely overwhelmed by the vision and the philosophy in the play.

The most hilarious play you have ever seen...

Om Katare's RAVANLEELA. It's a Nautanki at its best.

A play you would like to see filmed. Why?

I would like it if someday one can make a film on ANDHA YUG. It's a tough subject but through the film medium, it could reach out to many more people.

A novel/short story you would like to see on stage? Why?

A novel that is very close to my heart is Yaan Martel's Life of Pi. I have adapted it in a play but I would like to rework on it after a few years. It's one of the best survival stories.

A play that changed your perception about theatre...

Complicite's A DISAPPEARING NUMBER. They have beautifully used technology to tell a mesmerizing story.

How do you regard the Mumbai theatre scene?

It's the best in the country and here theatre is happening in various languages. It's rare if you could see that happening in any other place in India.

Can you think of a foreign production that you found remarkable? Why?

It was again Complicite's MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Luckily in 2005 when Prithvi Theatre brought them here, I was a part of that festival and had worked very closely with them in Mumbai and in Bangalore. I was surprised with the way they changed their design as per the given space -- like at the Jamshed Bhabha, they put the show together with many technical riders but when they performed at Prithvi, which is a much smaller and intimate space, they created the same magic with 100w bulbs. I still reflect about the director and the tech team's vision of putting up the shows like this in different spaces.

Your favourite director/actor/music or set designer...

I admire the work of Simon McBurney, the Artistic Director of Complicite.

Have you read any interesting books/articles concerning the theatre? Why did you find them interesting?

I read PT Notes. It gives me a good insight about the theatre scene, of people doing interesting work and of the happenings in and around theatre.

If you have ever been a part of a theatre production/s, can you recall an event that was insightful, significant or simply humorous?

The whole theatre experience is insightful and significant. We can live so many lives in one life!

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