Vivechana's 32nd National Theatre Festival 2026 Begins October 23 in Jabalpur
October 1, 2026 12:18:23 IST MTG editorial
Vivechana Theatre Group’s 32nd National Theatre Festival is set to take place in Jabalpur from October 23 to 27, 2026, bringing five notable productions from different theatre groups to the city. The five-day festival will open on October 23 with Madhya Pradesh Natya Vidyalaya Theatre Lab’s GUDIA KI SHAADI, directed by Sanjay Shrivastava. Set in a Bundelkhandi town, the play follows a lower-middle-class family and a young woman who faces discrimination because of her dark complexion. On October 24, Delhi-based Renaissance Theatre Group will present THE FATHER, directed by Mohit Tripathi and based on French playwright Florian Zeller’s acclaimed work. The play explores the changing reality of a father experiencing memory loss and the daughter trying to care for him.
Vivechana 32nd National Theatre Festival 2026 - Performance Schedule
A major highlight arrives on October 25 with Mumbai’s Ujaagar Dramatic Association presenting MITHYASUR, written by Pranay Pandey and directed by Ajeet Singh Pallawat. The Hindi-Hindustani production won three honours at the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) 2026, including Best Production, Best Original Script and Best Supporting Actor - Male. Set in 18th-century Hindustan, MITHYASUR examines truth, illusion, faith and power through the story of a temple priest guided by a demon king through his dreams.
On October 26, Delhi’s Saanjhbati Foundation will stage Arthur Miller’s THE PRICE in Hindi, directed by Shuddho Banerjee, exploring family relationships, memories and conflicting perspectives between two brothers. The festival will conclude on October 27 with host group Vivechana Theatre Group Jabalpur presenting 72 MILE, directed by Anilranjan Bhowmik. The moving production follows a young boy who escapes from his boarding school and undertakes a 72-mile journey on foot to reach home. With five varied productions spread across five evenings, Vivechana’s annual festival once again brings theatre practitioners, groups and audiences together for a focused celebration of contemporary Indian theatre.
*Mumbai Theatre Guide takes no responsibility for change in schedule.
