A theatre series that has no plot

Theatre series start with a play that has no plot and a central protagonist who never appears on stage.

A scene from the play.

Very often, I come across good plays that cannot be performed because nobody would come to see them; they are either too grim or too niche,” says director Feisal Alkazi, who, with the dexterity of a seasoned troubleshooter, is getting around this challenge by starting a theatre series, ‘Razor Edge’, to present “provocative plays from across the world”.

The curtain raiser, ‘Attempts on Her Life’, is an unconventional, postmodern play in which British playwright, Martin Crimp has rejected a linear narrative and presented the idea of multiple identities in every person.

“All of us have various identities drawn from different aspects of our lives that exist together. In the first scene of the play, the audience gets a hint about Anne (the central protagonist) from messages left on her answering machine. These are from her boyfriend, her lover, a man who is exploiting her sexually, her friend and her mother, among others,” says Alkazi. The 80-minute play comprises eight scenes that are “completely unrelated and characters from one never appear in the other”.

From the second scene, characters talk about their experiences with Anne and an image begins to emerge of her but the diffused outlines never become clear — she is a friend of a girl who has been a victim of ethnic cleansing, she is a terrorist accused of bombing, she is the daughter of parents who are worried about her safety, and she is a part of the pornographic industry.

Alkazi’s plays, such as ‘Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool Dark Place’ and ‘People Like Us’ are social dramas as much as relationship stories and ‘Attempts on Her Life’ gets the same treatment, with the addition of being “a play that deals deeply with the male gaze, the way we look and justify everything”. The music ranges from Arabic songs to live music to gypsy beats and music by French composer Claude Debussy.

The cast comes from regulars of Alkazi’s theatre group, Ruchika, such as Radhika Alkazi, Sanjiv Desai, and Smita Majumdar Rajaram. “The play has been provocative for the actors as well. There are many associations related to Kosovo, Kashmir and the political situation in Iraq,” says Alkazi.

Attempts on Her Life will be staged at the India International Centre on Friday. Entry: Free.
Contact: 24619431

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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