Masala Mix

Who says the popcorn-munching, cola-sipping, Oh-I8217;m-so-cool crowd belongs only to the cinema? That is a question that the city-based theatre group 8216;Manchtantra8217; asked five years ago.

Manchtantra announces its seventh 8220;pure entertainment8221; production, Salt 8216;n8217; Pepper

Who says the popcorn-munching, cola-sipping, Oh-I8217;m-so-cool crowd belongs only to the cinema? That is a question that the city-based theatre group 8216;Manchtantra8217; asked five years ago. Seven productions down, the question has become a rhetoric. 8220;We have managed to pull youngsters to theatre,8221; smiles Hardeep Singh Sethi, the secretary of the group that has been seriously trying to change the image that theatre is meant for a niche audience. 8220;Yes, theatre is serious business but we say it through masala, humour and songs,8221; chips in Gautam Sharma, joint secretary. And believe me, they are taking the whole 8216;masala8217; deal seriously for their next production is called 8216;Salt 8216;n8217; Pepper8217;!

8220;Unlike our previous productions, Salt 8216;n8217; Pepper is a contemporary play, basically a rom-com placed in a metropolitan background,8221; tells Sukriti Vadhera, who plays the lead opposite Sethi. The group mentions that this time it8217;s a mature take on things. 8220;Since we as individuals and as a group have matured, it will reflect in the execution as well. The issue is also quite unique, an adolescent can relate to it as much as a parent of a two-year-old,8221; Vadhera shares adding that their only target is to bring forth exceptional productions that are better than before, something they can really give themselves a pat on the back for since everything from the script to the choreography, technical details, music et al are in-house. As far as sponsorships go, they are giving the prospects a jar each of what else but salt and pepper! 8220;The idea is that whether or not they are with us, we stay with them!8221; quips Sethi. Vadhera has also prepared a one shot animation for the same. Catch the play on October 10 and 11 at St Stephens Auditorium, Sector 45, Chandigarh.