Double Time

When director Yasin Khan first staged his socio-cultural drama Poster in early 2006,the auditorium was forlorn and empty.

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

When director Yasin Khan first staged his socio-cultural drama Poster in early 2006,the auditorium was forlorn and empty. In September last year,he pulled out the script and reworked the play this time clubbing it with a hilarious comedy called Kyunki Sasur Bhi Kabhi Damad Tha. I got 75 per cent attendance, he grins. Like Khan,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.

Gouri Nilakantan Mehta of The Sixth Element went a step further on February 1 at the Epicentre,Gurgaon. My first play Khayali Bimar was in Hindi and enacted by adults and the second Post Early for Christmas was a childrens play in English. Both the plays were carefully clubbed together. Many children could relate to the adult play and some parents actually liked the kids play better, explains Mehta. Bharti Sharma of Kshitij Theatre,which staged comedies Tasveer and Bimaar,in November,adds,The audience doesnt want to spend two-three hours on a play. They like it short and sweet and variety always helps.

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.

Uttiya Bhattacharya of the Second Foundation Theatre and Dramebaaz,a group founded by theatre veteran Sabina Mehta Jaitely a few months ago,disagrees. The audience attention span is determined by the quality of the production, insists Bhattacharya. Both groups,however,will stage a collection of short plays in March.

Dramebaaz will make its entrance with Ismat Chugtais short plays,Jare and Bacho Phuphi,in March. They work only as short plays,hence the double bill, says Jaitely. Naseeruddin Shahs Ismat Aapa Ke Naam,staged several times in Delhi,clubs three of Chugtais plays and remains a hit production.

Second Foundation Theatre makes a comeback,after a two year hiatus,with a collection of four plays and poems by Roald Dahl. Bhattacharya,who directs one of the plays,says,It is a greater risk than staging one long play. Unless the performance is gripping,the audience tend to walk away after one play ends.

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Most directors limit each play to around 45 minutes and lead actors often find themselves jumping in and out of characters. Trained actors have no problem switching characters, says Singh,as Sharma adds that her comedies repeated the lead actor Deep Kumar. Mehta says that technical planning is the key and she prescribes lighthearted plays,as content-heavy fare is not seen as entertaining in India. Khan adds,Formula means that I can stage the type of plays I want cerebral and meaningful,lighthearted and comic. The popularity of Kyunki Sasur helped the cause of Poster.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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