Around Town: As NMACC makes a splash, here are Mumbai’s other popular performing centres

G5A Warehouse

Operating out of a warehouse in the Shakti Mills Lane, the G5A is home to the country’s first black box, a state-of-the-art performance space designed to transform into a multifunctional space running shows for 25 days monthly. Since its inception in 2015, the young centre has hosted contemporary dancers, musicians such as Zakir Hussain, Tarun Balani, Richard Spaven, Yo Yo Ma, and Peter Cat Recording Co., theatre groups, new media artists as well as several stand up comedians.

Film Critic Shubra Gupta during Express Film Club at G5A auditorium, Mahalaxmi. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

For founder Anuradha Parikh, inspiration for the centre struck in Mumbai’s dichotomous map – where the Worli Koliwada community, the ex-mill workers’ residences, chawls, the dhobi ghat coexist with the rapidly rising multi-storied residential complexes, corporate parks, malls and restaurants. With its seating capacity of 165, this quaint performing centre offers a plethora of choices for Mumbaikars to choose from pocket friendly prices.

Where: G-5/A, Laxmi Mills Estate, Shakti Mills Ln, Mahalaxmi West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400011

Price range: Starting at Rs 500.

Prithvi Theatre

Smacked in the middle of the upscale Juhu neighbourhood, Prithvi theatre boasts of an enviable lineup of the performing arts daily, except Monday when it’s shut for maintenance. While the performing centre was developed in 1978, it traces its roots back to Prithvi Theatres established by Prithviraj Kapoor in 1944. That the theatre seeks its inspiration in the legacy of the legendary actor is immediately evident. Over the years, Prithvi theatre has strived to promote professional theatre, promote aspiring stage artists as well as provide assistance to theatre workers.

Also home to a library and a café, there’s a little bit of something for anyone that comes a-knocking Prithvi’s doors. Currently, this 180-seater theatre is also hosting a summertime fest offering a myriad of plays and workshops for kids to attend.

Where: 20, Juhu Church Rd, Janki Kutir, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049

Price range: Starting at Rs 300

Ravindra Natya Mandir

Nestled in the quiet by lanes of Prabhadevi, Ravindra Natya Mandir is a 911-seat auditorium hosting a range of cultural performances. Upon entrance, visitors are greeted by a statue of Ravindranath Tagore followed by a bust of P L Deshpande, a quiet giveaway of what lies ahead. A home to two theatres, this government run establishment offers its customers an opportunity to witness the works of Marathi, Gujarati and Hindi playwrights come to life, at dirt cheap ticket prices.

Lavni performance at Ravindra Natya Mandir. (Express Photo by Dilip Kagda)

Established in 2003, Ravindra Natya Mandir is also a huge hit amongst the city’s classical music lovers. Amongst its most popular musical spectacles has been the recently concluded concert celebrating the centenary year of Pandit Kumar Gandharva.

Where: Ground Floor, PL Deshpande Auditorium, Sayani Rd, near Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400025

Price range: Plays starting at Rs. 250

National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA)

Ever since its inauguration in 1969 by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the NCPA has been the city’s go-to venue for performing arts and humanities. The rich legacy of the NCPA is palpable within its walls, which hosts over 700 performances yearly across the fields of music, dance, theatre, film, literature and photography.

A view of the Upper Foyer of NCPA’s Tata Theatre showing the Chandeliers donated by Sir Dinshaw Petit and a tantric mural by Shiavax Chavda. (Express Archive Photo)

Replete with five theatres, including the 1,109-seater Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, Tata Theatre, Experimental Theatre, Godrej Dance Theatre and Little Theatre, the NCPA is also home to the Symphony Orchestra of India, the country’s first and only professional orchestra. Under the tutelage of its music director Marat Bisengaliev, the SOI has completed 30 successful seasons thus far. In store for the next quarter, the centre has performances lined up by Zubin Mehta, Akram Khan, Alpesh Chauhan and Zakir Hussain.

Where: NCPA Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021

Price range: Starts at Rs 500

Shanmukhananda Auditorium

Over seventy years old, there’s nary an artist amongst the musical royalty who has not graced the stage of the Sri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium. With its seating capacity of 2,763, Shanmukhananda offers Mumbaikars an opportunity to witness the finest musical artists as well as dance performers without burning a hole in their pockets. “Most of our shows are free and open to all. However, sometimes when popular artists come to perform a recital and the demand is too high then we charge for the tickets, albeit nominally,” a committee member told The Indian Express. Within its premises are also nestled music and dance schools as well as a medical centre.

The 176th Aradhana to honour the saint composer Tyagaraja was held at the Sri Shanmukhananda auditorium. (Express Photo by Pradip Das)

“In its heyday, such would be the crowd that the management would be compelled to ask the spectators to return,” said the member, adding that the auditorium would also host the Filmfare awards in the past. Today, besides performing arts, the stage also hosts political conventions and business meets.

Where: 292, Com. Harbanslal Marg, Sion East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400022

Price range: Entry free except on ticketed or specially priced nights

St. Andrew’s Auditorium

What started as a platform for zonal churches to conduct competitions and performances of choirs and skits has today transformed into an 811-seater auditorium hosting renowned productions of theatre, musicals or live music gigs. A stone’s throw away from Bandra’s St. Andrew’s College, St. Andrew’s auditorium organises over 20 shows monthly and is also a favourite amongst city schools seeking a venue to organise their annual days.

Jazz band the Black & White Spyro Gyra performed at the St.Andrews Auditorium, Bandra. (Express Photo by Vasant Prabhu)

Where: St Domnic Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

Price range: Plays starting at Rs 300