Anu set to upstage Breath as shortest play in the world

The 30-second Breath’, an Irish play by father of Theatre of the absurd’, Samuel Beckett, staged in 1969 holds the record for the shortest play.

The longest is also an Irish play, Cannoli’ by John Adams staged in Dublin in 1976, which had a duration of 26-and-a-half hours.

Directed by S L N Swamy, Anu’ and Sarathya’ have 24 characters each. It is staged by Vidhata Kalavidaru’, at Yavanika, the youth cultural centre here.

The only dialogue in Anu’, nataka, nataka, na…Taka’ (drama,drama, drama), hints at the whole drama of existence.

The play heavily relies on audio-visual effects to convey its message in incredibly short duration.

It was held according to the guidelines faxed by the Guinness authorities. Noted director G V Iyer was present at the performance.

Sarathya’, based on Vachanabharatha’ and Aa Hadinentudinagalu’ (those 18 days), began at 1300 hrs yesterday and will end at 1900 hrs on August 17.

It has about 200 songs and touches upon 18 parvas of Mahabharata’, linking the epic to the present day politics.

Director S L N Swamy lamented that sponsors were not coming forward to support their venture that involves an expenditure of Rs 350,000. They plan to give some amount to the Kargil fund.