Inside out

For her play reading has its own charm different from story-telling and a play.
acirc;euro;oelig;Reading of a play cannot match the pleasure one gets from actually performing in or directing a play. However, reading has its own charm. Here, you have to use your voice and gesture. While narrating a story, actors have to use their gestures in such a way that the audience will easily identify with the characters. Play-reading is not like just story-telling,acirc;euro; she says.

In recent times Heerji has directed three other plays Poetry Alive, Zoo Story and The Resurrection.
Poetry Alive is a recital of verse which Heerji recited during the UK Poetry Festival held in October 1999 at the British Council. Edward Albeeacirc;euro;trade;s play, Zoo Story, was presented in April 2000 at a Church in Andheri East while W B Yeatsacirc;euro;trade; The Resurrection, a play in verse, was also staged at the British Council.

Starting her career in theatre in the 1970s as an actress, Hirjee has acted in many stellar productions.
acirc;euro;oelig;I have acted in Agnes of God, Whose Life Is It Anyway, Lend Me a Tenor and My Fair Lady. I especially enjoyed working with Alyque Padamsee in Cabaret. And what does she think about the celebrated theatre-director?

acirc;euro;oelig;Alyque is a genius. He is a talented actor and director. I like his unconventional style of working. Even as an ad man, he has left a distinct mark in theatre,acirc;euro; she gushes, adding, acirc;euro;oelig;We donacirc;euro;trade;t have many actors like him today. In those days we slogged a lot to be an actor.acirc;euro;

Did she receive any formal training in Dramatic Arts?
Hirjee received a diploma in Dramatic Arts from Lamda Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, London around 40 years ago. When she came back to India, she taught drama at different schools and colleges in Mumbai. acirc;euro;oelig;While teaching drama, I realised that a performing art is best learnt on stage. I donacirc;euro;trade;t mean to say that teaching does not help. It helps, but mere learning cannot make you a good stage actor,acirc;euro; she feels.

What are her perceptions about theatre scene in Mumbai today?
acirc;euro;oelig;There two types of theatre in Mumbai today serious theatre and commercial musicals. Serious theatre has limited crowd and rarely gets a sponsor while the plays with double entendres and cheap dialogues get sponsors. Take for instance, Amyacirc;euro;trade;s View. I had been trying to stage this play for quite some time, but failed because the cost of production is too high. I cannot stage it without the support of a sponsor. Thus, I am restricted to conducting readings only. I think Sanjana Kapoor is doing a fine job. Recently she held a theatre festival. I attended a few shows. She is running Prithvi Theatre in a professional manner,acirc;euro; she observes.

Heerji has set up a production company called On Cue.
acirc;euro;oelig;It is relatively new company. I propose to produce and direct some good plays. We are concerned about quality plays. Ok, we may not make much money out of it. So what? We are not into theatre just for money. Nothing gives me satisfaction like acting in and directing a good play,acirc;euro; she says.