The shows must grow on

Celebrating the 57th year of World Theatre Day, as initiated by the International Theatre Institute on March 27, 1961, theatre personalities from the city elucidate how the realm has changed, and evolved, over the years, and 
emphasise the need to join hands to put Hyderabad on India’s theatre map

EXTRINSIC SUPPORT
“In Hyderabad, we have lots of talent but access to the right kind of exposure and help is lacking. I am really happy to see the emergence of new groups in the last five years; they are doing their bit to promote the industry. But the government should come forward and help it flourish further. Bengaluru was behind when they had just started out, but now they are thriving with great auditoriums and much better production.”

 — Ram Mohan Holagundi, founder of Nishumbita Ballet and Theatre

More time for theatre, a must
“The theatre scenario has certainly improved in the last 10 years. Senior theatre groups have been very consistent in performing new plays and repeating their old plays. New theatre groups have also emerged and new performance spaces have come up; ticket prices have gone up too. But quality is still a concern as most people are still taking up theatre as a hobby. One thing that should happen is that at least a few theatre graduates should take up theatre seriously for a couple of years after they finish their course instead of immediately jumping into films or television.”

— Rathna Shekar Reddy, founder of Samahaara Theatre Group

IT’S ALL ABOUT QUALITY

“The theatre scene here shouldn’t be defined by quantity, but the quality of the productions — and also not merely by dropping big names! When you use big names, it would be ethical on your part to first understand the written word and do justice to the script. One should also understand how important language and diction are when you choose to perform classic Indian work. This is sadly lacking. There’s been no work on that front! The audience here also needs to bring themselves up a bit and not treat any crap that takes place on stage as theatre. Just standing there and delivering funny lines is not theatre! Spaces continue to be a perennial problem. Not one space is worth being called a theatre space and it should be credited to the account of groups here that they keep performing despite several odds. How much can Lamakaan or for that matter Ravindra Bharati do? We badly need a dedicated 150-200 seater auditorium with good technical facilities.”

— Vinay Varma, founder of Sutradhar

A SIGNIFICANT MULTIPLICATION
“It’s been 11 years since I came to Hyderabad. At that point in time, the number of theatre groups in the city could be counted on one’s fingers. But since a series of alternative and highly affordable venues starting with Lamakaan and subsequently Phoenix Arena, Our Sacred Space, and of late the Apollo Theatre Foundation, have provided theatre practitioners a means to survive in this field as the logistical costs have been greatly reduced. Even in 2007, the number of plays per year was about 10 to 12. Now that frequency is seen on a monthly basis. This is fantastic for the theatre patrons of Hyderabad. Having said that, I still believe that an enclosed, air-conditioned, acoustically-treated venue with extensive sound and light options, green rooms, etc., designed purely for theatre performances is one thing that this city lacks.” 

— R.K. Shenoy, founder of Dramanon

A CALL TO AMALGAMATE
“I  have time and again said there’s no doubt that the theatre scene is improving every year. But the way theatre is received in other Indian cities, compared to that, Hyderabad will still require some more time. The quality of plays produced here is not same across all groups, mainly due to budget constraints. I am enable to stage mighty productions because I get sponsors but there are many who don’t and therefore the production value goes down. I believe that all of the city’s groups should come together to let theatre flourish like the other metros.” 

— Taher Ali Baig, Director