Plays At Home: The Show Goes On Theatrician Online Theatre Festival
April 09, 2020 06:22:09 PM IST Johnson Thomas
As COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on theatre performances across the country there emerges a modicum of hope in emergent concepts through New Media that young theatre entrepreneurs are experimenting with. Theatrecian's Theatre In your Livingroom Festival is a pioneer of sorts in this direction. A talk with founder, Theatrecian, Tathagata Chowdhury to find out more...
Were you always involved in theatre... how did that come about?
I formed Theatrecian when I was 20. Today I am 40 years old and have had a long and interesting 20 year journey in the arts. In the downtime I also consult and freelance for films and media.
So how has the journey been so far?
BBC 4 regarded Theatrecian as the most prolific youth theatre company in the country. Our aim is to develop and encourage all types of cultural and literary activities. We encourage young talents to "recognize the Theatrecian within" and explore new horizons. Our troupe has performed all across India and abroad since inception.
What was the idea behind starting such a festival?
The pandemic is perhaps the most daunting threat that performing arts has ever faced. The choice is always there. Succumb or overcome. My friends and myself, at Theatrecian see this as an opportunity to give another definition to 'proscenium' and convert the very threat of technology as the medium of expression. This is what we are experimenting with through the Theatre In Your Livingroom festival. This is not just an exhibition of monologues, archived performances, radio acts. This is new-age theatre emerging from a spirit expected in a Theatrecian.
What are your plans for the immediate future given the prevailing pandemic?
We are figuring them out as we go along. There's no clear pathway yet given the uncertainty regarding the lockdown and the increase in the number of affected persons.
What kind of response are you getting for your festival so far..in terms of registration etc?
People are showing interest. There are Theatrecian supporters from Singapore, Cardiff, Bombay, Bangalore, across the globe who will be experiencing the festival live.
How do you manage to generate profits (if at all) for such an event?
Profits? Well... the revenue, this time, is for a cause. It's not easy to generate profits at this stage because this is an experiment. Once I am more confident, after a few shows, I will concentrate on profit module. At present it's a fund raiser and I am concentrating on the novelty aspect.
Do you see this kind of an effort taking wings in the future?
Theatre is Alive when it is Live. So, this is a stop gap movement. I am sure that in days to come, we will again have the Proscenium being the main source and form of Theatre.
To be to part of this experiment, the viewer has to downloading the Zoom app and WhatsApp a message on the number 9830241007 to experience the first 'Cellular Theatre Festival.' The registration fee is Rs.200/-.
Day 1- 10th April, 20:00 hrs.
1st Bell - 8 pm (audience is expected to log on)
2nd Bell - 8 :05 pm (format is explained)
3rd Bell - 8: 10 pm (13 minute performance begins. Actors from their respective homes will perform the play)
We then have an interactive session with the audience.
Day 2- 11th April, 20:00 hrs.
Day 3- 12th April, 19:00 hrs.
Johnson Thomas is an independent critic and columnist
