Founder member of Thespo, Quasar Thakore Padamsee insists that only when you are 20-something, are you gutsy and not bowing down to the system. Keeping its promise of introducing youthful innovations in theatre, Thespo's 13th edition will showcase four fresh plays - three Marathi and an English one this year.
At 33, Quasar declares, "Our gang that started off Thespo is way too old now ...beyond the Thespo-able age of under 25. We have handed over the festival to the new generation. They have such fresh ideas - two of them put up a sudden presentation in a crowded local train! Also, instead of Power Point Presentations and AVs, they have rustled up a performance and it's our new way of bringing theatre to audiences. These young people are capable of startling the viewers."
The organizing committee of Thespo thus comprises 20-somethings, bubbling with ideas and enthusiasm. Just 20, Manan Mehta, one of the organizers, enthuses, "Thespo 13 is called Theatre Tera Mera. Contrary to the conventional belief that number 13 is unlucky, we think 13 is our lucky charm. We are the luckiest festival to be in the running this long, creating a future theatre community!" Varrun Bangera, Festival Director of Thespo 13 comments: "We were clear from the beginning that Thespo 13 was to become a much larger learning experience for every theatre lover. It is to their delight that we have an increased number of workshops from the theatre giants. Thus, Theatre Tera Mera seemed a very apt theme to go with."
What's noteworthy is that Thespo 13 had as many as 95 registrations for plays to be shortlisted for the festival, from seven cities across India. "We were pleasantly surprised by the response. For the first time, our screening committee went to Gulbarga to watch a Kannada play! We have seen plays in Marathi, English, Hindi, Gujarati and even Marwari before - but this was a first. From Pune, Nagpur, Chennai, Kolkata, Pilani to Gulbarga our screening committee watched over 90 plays in three weeks," elaborates Quasar.
How do as many as three Marathi plays make the cut? "They made it purely because of the quality of work. These are very sincere and hard-working groups with great presentation skills and the language is incidental," reasons Quasar. "Theatre group, Clustalz Mumbai and All My Tea Productions have been coming to us since the last three to four years but they never made it to the festival until now. What I appreciate about the group is that they didn't go into a sulk but they are back fully prepared this time with COCK, our only English play of the festival," he informs.
As for a common thread running across the four plays, young Manan explains, "All the four plays are about making choices in life - COCK addresses the dilemma over sexuality, PATIENT is about a cancer patient undergoing mental agony and contemplating suicide, EK DON ADICH is about dealing with problems in life and JANHIT MEIN JAARI is a comedy about serious issues."
Thespo has been providing a platform to emerging talent over the years and has given rise to many theatre groups like Akvarious Productions, Natak Company and others and to and acting talents like Chandan Roy Sanyal, Amirita Puri, Aakarsh Khurana, Ali Fazal, Neil Gopalan and such. "We do not claim that they are our proteges, but when they were at the cross roads of life, we helped them decide - to be an actor or to be a banker or something else" Quasar admits humbly.
Thespo is also known for its engaging and innovative workshops like this year's workshop with Australian director David Hirst. Hirst's 'Us and Them' sessions will develop into a performance piece. "When you are young you think theatre begins and ends with you. Our workshops give the younger people an opportunity to interact with seniors, which will help make their work stronger and help them also to understand and appreciate great theatre works. It's a sort of cultural learning that theatre is not just about being 'cool' - it takes a lot of work and dedication," says Quasar.
When Thespo turned 10, the founders thought "Dus ho gaya ab bas ho gaya", but then they realized the festival had a life and following of its own, "Who are we to shut it down?" they concluded. So as Thespo turns into a wilful teenager raring to go, its proud parents just like to 'keep a check.' Looking ahead in time, plans are afoot to take Thespo overseas. "We are looking at taking the festival to Australia and not let our present interaction with Urban Myth Theatre of Youth (Adelaide, Australia) just be a flash in the pan," emphasizes Quasar.
The festival is from 13th to 18th December 2011 with shows at Prithvi Theatre and at the NCPA Experimental Theatre.
The 'Thespo 13 Awards Nite' will take place on December 18th at the NCPA Experimental Theatre. The Lifetime Achievement award this year will be presented to Arundhati and Jagdish Raja. The Rajas have been producers, directors, actors, and mentors. Their Art Youth Programme has been an inspiration to young theatre enthusiasts in Bangalore.
Other festival highlights include live acoustic bands and platform performances. KALAKAAR KI KAHANI from Kolkota and a dance piece called A.T.T.A.C.H.E.D. will be part of the platform performances.
The 'Friends of Thespo' movement also forges on. In the absence of grants and sponsorships, Thespo relies on individual supporters to make the festival happen. By becoming a Friend of Thespo, you can support, save and share the Thespo experience. For more details write to [email protected] or call Ayushi at 9833424947
