It's a new year, which means there's going to be a list of new (and old) resolutions. Stats say the most common resolutions are related to:
1. Health & Fitness
2. Finance & Career
3. Skill Development
As the editor of this column, I'd be lying if I said I haven't placed my buck in one or more of the aforementioned categories, although I do have a particularly favorite resolution, a less likely trodden one, which I would invite you to join me in: Go catch more plays!
Here's a list to help get January started:
1.777 | English
When - Thursday, 2nd January 2025
Where - Prithvi Theatre
What - 19-year-old Reyhaneh Jabbari set out one day, full of ambition, hoping to jump-start her career as an interior designer in 2007, Iran. Seven years later, her fate seems to be something she could have never imagined. Based on real-life accounts, 07/07/07 tells the tale of the events that unfolded. The ensemble, directed by Faezeh Jalali, is committed to owning the story and delivers a sincere performance. A must-watch, the play is a thought-provoking piece that’s bound to stay with you well beyond the final bow.
1876 | Hindi, English
When - Friday & Saturday, 3rd & 4th January 2025 Where - Rangshila Studios What - A play within a play, 1876, is a visually stimulating performance featuring a cast of talented young performers who make the two-hour-long play feel anything but long. Tackling themes of censorship, writer and director Amatya Garodia brings this story to the stage at a time when conversations around free expression and artistic autonomy are more relevant than ever.The pace is exciting, and the entire production has a great sense of ___ energy.We even have a review of this play on The Scri[pt]. Check it out!
Maya | Hindi When - Saturday, 4th January 2025 Where - The Cube, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre What - Stories within a story, Maya brings us the tale of Ram and Rahim and their voyage to defeat King Mahabali, who seems keen on reshaping the three realms. The performance is a thrilling amalgamation of myth, magic, and philosophy. But what truly makes this piece stand out is its form.A storytelling tradition from Rajasthan used to keep a record of family histories, Kaavad Katha involves the use of a wooden box, called a "Kaavad," which has painted panels that open like doors, revealing different scenes and characters. We’re looking forward to seeing how Maya blends this traditional form of storytelling with the modern. Know More
Glitch in the Myth | English, Hindi When - Tuesday & Wednesday, 7th & 8th January 2025 Where - Prithvi Theatre What - Sita’s story told with a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor, heart, song, and dance. Anoushka Zaveri is stunning as a performer, and her writing has a little sweet, spice, and all things nice. This take on the Ramayana envisions Sita as a curious and outspoken girl whose heart is set on adventure. As the epic unfolds, Sita stumbles upon a sisterhood that allows her to rewrite the narrative. Glitch in the Myth is as much about the agency women have as it is about female friendships and their ability to hold you up. Know More
Jo Dooba So Paar | Hindi, Urdu, Persian When - Thursday, 9th January 2025 Where - Prithvi Theatre What - "Khusro dariya prem ka, ulti wa ki dhar, Jo ubhra so dub gaya, jo duba so paar"—Amir Khusrau's poem is all about love; about how drowning in the river of love actually allows you to sail across. And isn’t that an apt title for a play that delves into Sufism—a school of thought that believes love between humankind reigns above all else?Ajitesh Gupta and Mohit Agarwal bring a beautiful tale woven out of anecdotes from the life of Amir Khusrau, accompanied by qawwalis sung by a cast of extremely talented singers. The Dastangoi is lively, engaging, and leaves you feeling as though you’ve been enveloped in warmth. Know More
Pyar Aadmi Ko Kabootar Bana Deta Hai | Hindi When - Saturday & Sunday, 11th & 12th January Where - Prithvi Theatre What - Love can be a funny (painful) thing. The three friends in the play stand testament to that. To start off with, they are a tight-knit group, loyal to one another, inseparable even. That is until love shows up. And soon, it appears that their friendship is not as impenetrable as they once thought. Told from the perspective of three pigeons, this musical play, written and directed by Manav Kaul, appears to be quite promising, with past audience reviews praising its witty writing and heartfelt performances.
Connections | Multiple Languages When - Thursday, 16th January 2025 onwards Where - The National Centre for the Performing Arts What - For the last 30 years, National Theatre (UK) has been hosting a children’s theatre festival, by the youth for the youth. Its third edition in India, in association with NCPA, is back this month with a lineup of 16 fascinating plays, featuring 16 different schools. And of course, there’s food and music to make it all better. Why not catch the entire festival? It’s always a delight to see the curation come together. There’s nothing quite like the energy of a festival, and especially one that is guided by the spirit of the youth.
Nidrawathwam | English When - Saturday, 18th January 2025 Where - Prithvi Theatre What -Straight out of the Adishakti Laboratory, Nimmy Raphel’s Nidrawathwam presents the tale of the two brothers of the protagonist and antagonist of the Ramayana: Laxman and Kumbhakarna, both of whom have received a boon that seems to almost adopt a curse-like quality. Many contemporary plays seem to be drawing heavily from mythology and also happen to be solo performances. While Nidrawathwam shares these attributes, its use of mime and acrobatics makes it all the more intriguing.
Great Text Reading - My Dad’s Corner Shop | English When - Saturday, 18th January 2025 Where - Prithvi Theatre What - The monthly readings are back and with them, the warm, cozy atmosphere, squash biscuits… and aliens. This Great Text Reading season is dedicated to plays about outer space. And the first installment features Ray Grewal’s My Dad’s Corner Shop. Know More