Space Crunch

There is a flip side to the increasing popularity of theatre in Pune. While there is renewed interest from the audience who are looking forward to new productions,actors are suffering due to lack of rehearsal spaces,forcing them to opt for unconventional places to practice. “Theatres in the city are overbooked with performances and rehearsal slots. With several groups practising their plays,most places are not available and one has to make bookings at least a month in advance to get a decent space with lights,music and a proper stage,” says Saket Raje,member of Mystique,a theatre group which has staged plays like Mrutyu Katha and Mirad: Return to War.

However,pre-booking is not always a solution. Funds also need to be arranged for the rented space,as a single rehearsal session of a few hours could cost anywhere between Rs 50 to Rs 5000,depending on the kind of space,lights and music the group requires. Pradeep Vaiddya,member of Aasakta Kalamanch,notes that Pune has numerous theatres to practise but the exorbitant charges for rehearsal sessions are a deterrent. “Theatre groups in Pune have been active for years,however,now theatres have realised that they are prime property and have begun charging fantastical rates. This creates a problem for any production house because we have limited budgets,” he says.

While most established theatre groups do not fret the expense,for smaller groups it is a cause of concern,and finding an alternative is essential. If Mystique often organises play reading sessions and rehearsals at wedding halls,homes of its members,Z-bridge and on the banks of the Mula River,Vinod Vanve is often seen with members of the local acting troupe Aakangsha in public places and institutions. “We practise at the local municipal school,instead,because that is cheaper,” says he,adding that the group also rehearses at parks and local cafeterias on Junglee Maharaj Road. “At Sambhaji Park,it’s quiet and people don’t question us. In cafeterias too,as long as we all buy tea and some snacks,the owner is usually happy to let us sit and discuss the play,” says Vanve.

The outdoors,however,aren’t the most ideal options. “I try to limit outdoor practice to play readings and initial practice because it is very difficult to actually rehearse. There is too much noise,too many distractions and people often come and shout at us,thinking we are loitering,” says Raje.

There can be only one long-term solution to the lack of space though –- building new venues for rehearsals. Vaiddya feels that established theatre groups should have their own spaces for theatre practise. “If we had done this before,we wouldn’t be facing a problem now. Theatre groups should either build new spaces or increase their budgets because the rates are not going to get cheaper,” he says.