Get ready, Mumbai! The much-loved 3M Dot Band Theatre Family, known for its spectacular national-level theatre festival “Jairangam,” is bringing its magic to the city for the first time this year. After lighting up Jaipur annually, they’re set to captivate Mumbai audiences with two exceptional plays at the Harkar Studios this weekend. Don’t miss Waiting for Naseer on January 25th and The Lesson on January 26th, both at 8 PM.
Festival Director Mann Gera shares, “We have been doing the festival for a decade in Jaipur, and we thought it was time to travel to centres that have a strong cultural presence. We wanted to promote art and theatre in as many cities as possible all over the country. Mumbai is one of the key centres, and we thought it would be the right start to the new year. We are getting to stage, Sukant Goel’s The Lesson after a long time and Waiting for Naseer will be performed in Mumbai for the first time.”
It doesn’t end with the performances but encourages conversations. Mann elaborates, “The point is to promote and increase community building. We follow the performances with an in depth conversation on the process and journey which follows. This enables the artist and audience to interact and that is the reason we chose Harkat Studios as the venue which is an intimate and a special space.”
Mark your calendars for a weekend filled with compelling performances and unforgettable stories!
Waiting for Naseer
What: A Philosophical Comedy. Language: Hindustani. Age Suitability: 16+
When: Saturday, 25th January, 8 PM Where: Harkat Studios
Duration: 1 Hour 20 Mins
About Play: Waiting for Naseer is a philosophical comedy wherein two actors wait at the Prithvi Theatre cafe to catch a show of their favourite actor, Naseeruddin Shah’s new play. But the situation is weirder than it sounds, because only one of them is entitled to a ticket, and because they are both dead! While they wait, they laugh, they cry, they compete bitterly, and reveal themselves in a desperate bid to get that elusive one ticket to the show. An actor knows how to wait like no one else does – all he desires are his moments on stage. In those moments he finds the ability to smile at his ephemeral existence. The play is a celebration of theatre, acting, passion, and of life itself … only it is being celebrated by two dead men.
Waiting for Naseer features a talented cast including Maahir Mohiuddin, Maulik Pandey, and Naman Roy. Directed by Srinivas Beesetty, with a script by Sapan Saran, the play is produced by Kahe Vidushak Foundation and Molecule Talkies. The creative team includes Arun DT for lighting, sound design by Maahir and Srinivas, and set design by Chaitali Das. The production is managed by Banshi Pagla and Chaitali Das.
The Lesson
What – Drama. Language – English. Age Suitability – 16+
When – Sunday, 26th January, 8 PM. Where – Harkat Studios
Duration – 1 Hour
About Play:The Lesson, a one-act play by Eugène Ionesco, is a comedic parable of the dangers inherent in indoctrination, performed in 1951 as La Leçon and published in 1953. In a seemingly lonely old professor’s house, a young pupil comes for her ‘lesson’ as she wants a Doctorate in ‘all the possible streams.’ The professor seems to be her best hope and his encouraging, respectful and demure demeanour, make her feel all the more confident. But as the lesson progresses, the professor starts to assert himself more and more strongly, becomes aggressive to the point of murderous towards the pupil, who, over the same course of time, is slowly but surely reduced to a limp, lifeless object, with no control over herself, and a mere putty in the professor’s hands. The play tackles the overall idea of the menace of totalitarianism with wit, precision and delectable use of language. Through the skewed and one dimensional relationship of a teacher and student, as giver and taker, the play asks several questions, both personal and political. Are we awake? Are we aware? Are we free?
The Lesson stars Sukant Goel, Kallirroi Tziafeta, and Vedika Sai. Directed by Sukant Goel, this play is written by Eugene Ionesco and translated by Donald Watson. The creative team includes Vikrant Thakar for light design and operation, Jaya Virlley for sound operation, and Bhushan Vikas for production design, with Rahul Kumar heading the production.
Don’t miss out—tickets are available on insider.in.
