Double Time

To cut a long story short,many theatre groups have hit upon a new formula to attract the audience,they have two or more short plays in an evening rather than one long story.

Theatre groups pack in smaller,multiple plays into a single performance and draw in the crowd

To cut a long story short,many theatre groups have hit upon a new formula to attract the audience,they have two or more short plays in an evening rather than one long story. The short and sweet show appeals to an audience which doesnt want to spend two-three hours on a play and the variety always engrosses. Most directors limit each play to around 45 minutes and lead actors often find themselves jumping in and out of characters,with technical planning being a vital ingredient in the success. Whats more,it gives theatre people a chance to play a variety of themes,cerebral and meaningful,lighthearted and comic on the same stage and for the same audience.

Recently,Prof Rana Nayyar offered the audience a Double Bill at The Patch Work,the cultural literary fest of the Department of English,PU. Rana directed two short plays,Nabaneeta Dev Sens Medea and Chekhovs Swan Song and says it was a creative challenge he enjoyed. Both plays made a feminist statement and raised many questions and the format worked very well with the viewers as were living in times where the attention span of people is limited. And with two or three short plays being staged in a period of just over an hour,the audience gets variety too, Rana adds how some people chose to watch the first play on day one and came for the second play the next day.

The Black Cow Company didnt stop at two. The Moo Collection,directed by Misha Singh,is a collection of 12 fast-paced plays,and an odd mix of stories on life and relationships,strung together with quirky humour and smart philosophy. Short plays are the way to go. The audience attention span has been shrinking and this is the best way to keep them entertained, says director Misha Singh. Naseeruddin Shahs Ismat Aapa Ke Naam,clubs three of Chugtais stories and remains a hit production. Told by three actors in diverse situations,Heeba Shah narrates Chhui Muee,which dissects the upper-class mentality that allows no room for reason. Mughal Bachha,performed by Ratna Pathak is a satire on Mughal successors,who fail to accept that they are past their prime,while Gharwali,told by Shah,makes observations on the energy of marriage. Varied themes,excellent acting,minimal sets,the production packs in a punch.

Staging multiple plays,observes theatre director R Dhiman,who has done three short plays on one stage in the earlier part of his career,gives one a chance to play around with various themes,you also employ less resources,actors and create more space and scope for creativity.

Like citys Theatre Group Mask,as part of its Katha Manchan dramatized Chekhovs Birthday Present and Seduction in only one-and-a-half hours and the four actors loved the charged atmosphere. The format is with the times and total entertainment is the idea, Krrish the director enjoyed the scope of improvisation in this design.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

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