A scene from Maro Piyu Gayo Rangoon, which travels to the Globe Theatre, London.
Two years after Maro Piyu Gayo Rangoon, a Gujarati adaptation of William Shakespeare’s comedy All’s Well That Ends Well, was staged at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, the musical drama returns there for a new season from May 5 to 10. Initially performed as part of the Globe to Globe theatre festival, it is among a handful of plays from the original season to be invited back, and the only one from India.
Last November, the Globe Theatre approached Shanbag for a rerun. The director had taken a break from it after staging it for nearly one-and-a-half years. Returning to the Globe Theatre is significant because Shakespeare’s 450th birth anniversary is being celebrated there throughout May.
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Though All’s Well That Ends Well is considered to be one of the Bard’s weakest plays, the adaptation has been appreciated, especially for its portrayal of its women characters. In the original play, the lead woman character Helena stalks the hero who shows no interest in her while the character of Diana does not have a significant presence. In Maro Piyu Gayo Rangoon, both these characters are impressive and much stronger.
After five shows in London, the play will travel to Antwerp, which has a significant Gujarati population. Once back in India, Shanbag is planning to have more shows of the play.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
