Step into the Unknown

This play has something unique,for the first time in India,four directors have been roped in to direct a play,with each one given four scenes. The seventeenth scene has been converted into a song. When recruited,each of the directors was handed a script which had just the dialogues and the name of the scene. The premise,characters,set,everything had to be taken care of by the director and the actors. “There is no definite outline,but that doesn’t mean it is vague. The exercise is done by the directors,actors and technicians who formulate the entire scene,” says Vaidya.

With no background to a scene provided by the writer,the directors,Varun Narvekar,Sarang Sathaye,Nipun Dharmadhikari and Alok Rajwade had to struggle with the actors to give a definite shape to the story. Having a meagre script to work with,Narvekar was pleased with the what he calls the ‘freedom to develop’ his own characters. The actors too had to brainstorm with the directors about the premise of the scene and map the progress of the characters. “It was challenging work but I had great fun too. Without the co-operation of the actors,it would not have been possible.” says Rajwade. Many actors did not have a clue about the play initially and they had to constantly improvise as the rehearsals went on.”The script was only dialogues and dashes,however the experience was great!” says Omkar Govardhan,a member of the cast.

The non – linear format of the script maintains the elusive character of the woman. Based on the characters required,the directors chose their cast from a common pool of actors. The cast is the only link between the four sets of scenes. “Playing different characters was a little difficult in the beginning,but even that is fun,” says Ameya Wagh,who plays the role of eight characters in the play.

(The play will be performed at the Yashwantrao Chavan Natya Gruha on November 18,9:30 pm)