No Child’s Play

For over eight years now,director Zubin Mehta has produced and directed memorable children’s theatre productions that are diverse in theme,treatment and style. From Manto’s Toba Tek Singh to Robin Hood and Charan Das Chor to The Night of January 16,it’s been a varied line-up that Mehta’s experimented with. And now,the 27-year-old is all set for a brand-new stage,with the launch of the Wings Theatre Academy that has been established in association with St Kabir School,Chandigarh. “I wanted to go beyond theatre workshop modules and have a permanent platform for children to be involved in theatre,hence this academy,” says Mehta.

As opposed to Delhi and Mumbai,Mehta feels that children’s theatre in Chandigarh is almost non-existent,except for annual school plays. Having started acting in Punjabi plays at the age of eight,theatre’s been an integral part of Mehta’s life. “I realised that it’s my calling early on in life and so I began taking theatre workshops at Yadavindra Public School and have since worked exclusively with children,producing two mega productions a year,” says Mehta. Theatre in education is a concept that he swears by.

The Academy,explains Mehta has been conceptualised for children in the age group of seven to 17 years,and is restricted to not only acting,but also exposing children to the intricacies of theatre — make-up,set design,lighting,art and craft and theatre games . “Theatre’s helped so many children gain confidence,get over inhibitions,understand issues with sensitivity and appreciate creativity. I hope the academy will stimulate many more positive changes. We’re not here to make them professionals,but sensitive,fun-loving creative individuals,” asserts Mehta,who hopes to rope in experts from the field to enrich the experience.

With classes slated three days a week,three productions planned for different age groups and regular interactions with theatre experts,Wings promises to offer an absorbing experience.