Let the plays begin

Natakon ka suhana safar ab phir shuru hoga mdash The happy journey of plays begins againrdquo says a beaming Ila Arun over a Zoom call Her theatre company has been rehearsing for a fourday festival which will feature two new plays written by her and directed by KK RainaApart from Arun the plays feature a talented cast including Ira Dubey Aseem Hattangadi and Donna Munshi ldquoI love to wake up and head to rehearsals it energises me When the actors rehearsed for the first time they were thrilled Prithvi is like a temple for us and while there have been a few shows post the pandemic this will be the first festivalrdquo says ArunIra Dubey as Hardit Kaur GillTheir first play Hardit Kaur Gill is an Indian adaptation of Henrik Ibsenrsquos most popular masterpiece Hedda Gabler This play is a relatable adaptation that focuses on how the current generation often finds itself easily disillusioned and disappointed ldquoFrom Ibsenrsquos plays also we picked plays that are relevant today in the Indian contextrdquo says Raina In the past Arun has adapted 10 to 12 plays including Peer Ghani Marichika Peecha Karti Parchaiyan Chota Kashmir and A Dollrsquos House Many have been written by Ibsen ldquoHis plays are relevant to our political and social scenario today An adaptation is not just translating a play but placing the writerrsquos thoughts in a different environment place and time while retaining the voice of the original and ensuring that those thoughts are communicated to the audiencerdquo adds ArunThe second play Miracle on Matunga Street is based on Tom Dudzickrsquos American play Miracle on South Division Street In Arunrsquos adaptation the story revolves around a matriarch who tends to the family heirloom mdash a 20foot shrine of the Blessed Mother Velankanni Amma that adjoins the house ldquoIn this play the writer questions peoplersquos faith and miracles The playwright is rational and logical but he doesnrsquot offend instead he makes his point with humourrdquo Raina explainsKK Raina in Yeh Raste Hain Pyar KeYeh Raste Hain Pyar Ke was written by Arun after she observed the plight of senior citizens during the pandemic It focuses on two elderly people who attempt to break free from the isolation of their empty lives caused due to constant lockdowns ldquoCountless seniors suffered during the pandemic since their kids were abroad Children must follow their ambitions but a bridge needs to be created to ensure concern towards each other is maintainedrdquo elaborates Raina They are staging 10 shows for this play since they wanted seniors to watch it and feel hopeful that all is not lost ldquoI will be doing three shows that day I hope I donrsquot mix up my linesrdquo chuckles ArunldquoPeople warned us to not host this festival because of the 50 per cent audience cap We will face a loss but if we have this opportunity itrsquos our responsibility to get things rolling People need to restart their livesrdquo explains Raina ldquoI find it strange that people sit at Prithvirsquos cafeacute but donrsquot watch a play The hummus and pizza costs more than the ticket So many theatre groups are doing great work Itrsquos wholesome entertainment that makes you think while you enjoy the performance I hope more people come to the theatrerdquo summarises Arun before heading out for her rehearsalOn November 11 to 14At Prithvi Theatre JuhuLog on to prithvitheatreorgCost Rs 500 per play