A Dramatic Dialogue

When Michael Earley,professor of drama and principal of the Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance was looking to adapt Russian dramatist Anton Chekhovs Uncle Vanya in a new language,he thought of Punjabi.

When Michael Earley,professor of drama and principal of the Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance was looking to adapt Russian dramatist Anton Chekhovs Uncle Vanya in a new language,he thought of Punjabi. For the collaboration,he looked towards the recently opened Harpal Tiwana Centre for the Arts,Patiala. The idea is to create bridges across and make theatre and other performing arts a viable option for those interested in the field, said Earley in a conversation at the Chandigarh Press Club. The adaptation of the play,which is known to be Chekhovs masterpiece dealing with frustrated longing and wasted lives,will have actors from both India and the UK.

Earley and professor Kathryn Mitchell of University of West London are all set to create a platform for young artistes and drama students to be exposed to new,international approaches to theatre,alongside their own dramatic traditions. Training,information,degrees,interactions with foreign actors and directors,its all on the cards. We want this place to be more than just a performance base and become a hub for performing arts that will engage people in theatre professionally, said Manpal Tiwana,director of the Centre.

Earley is also working on a two-year training programme that will offer space and tools to promote young talent and offer degree courses in speech-drama,acting,mime,cold reading,back-stage production and theatre writing.

The entertainment industry is booming,and young actors need to consider theatre as a viable option professionally,and that is possible if they are at par with other theatre professionals internationally, adds Earley,who taught drama and theatre at Yale University and has developed similar programmes all over Europe and Asia and is busy writing a critical biography of European director and scenographer,Edward Craig.

Through workshops,Earley is striving hard to develop a playwriting culture here,one thats in tune with the ethos and culture of the country which he feels is lacking here. People of Punjab are theatrical and lively and an international opportunity will give them a chance to get a global focus, says Earley. A research centre for theatre,adds Tiwana,is coming up too,where people from around the country can talk about new developments and create new audiences.

The Centres got state of art facilities for training,and there are 16 degree programmes,all online,with practical training. The dream,says Tiwana,is to have theatre as part of the curriculum in schools and not just an extra-curricular activity,We only have one NSD and so much talent,which needs exposure to enhance their talent and this collaboration is a step in this direction, says Mitchell.

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A Dramatic Dialogue

When Michael Earley,professor of drama and principal of the Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance was looking to adapt Russian dramatist Anton Chekhovs Uncle Vanya in a new language,he thought of Punjabi.

When Michael Earley,professor of drama and principal of the Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance was looking to adapt Russian dramatist Anton Chekhovs Uncle Vanya in a new language,he thought of Punjabi.