Hyderabad: This Dec 15 - 17, 2023, weekend’s line up at the Manam Theatre Festival includes:
· Biryani Aur Haleem By Sutradhar on Friday, Dec 15, Rangbhoomi Spaces, Gachibowli
· The Far Post By Dur Se Brothers on Saturday, Dec 16, MCRHRD, Jubilee Hills
· Elephant In The Room By Dur Se Brothers on Sunday, Dec 17, MCRHRD, Jubilee Hills
Book your passes for the most incredible performances at the inaugural edition of the month-long ‘Manam Theatre Festival’ in Hyderabad, presented by The We _ Us Collective (an Almond House Foundation initiative). The Manam Theatre Festival hopes to immerse theatre aficionados in Hyderabad in the sheer magic and brilliance of the performing arts, as it brings together the city’s thriving theatre fraternity along with visiting troupes from across the country, and beyond. From puppetry to live music, from dancing to masking, from Pondicherry to Sikkim, artists from every phase, form and place come together to celebrate the art of performing at multiple venues across the city. With an impressive line-up comprising four visiting troupes, four local Hyderabad troupes, four venues, eighteen shows across four weekends, the Manam Theatre Festival promises to be a true celebration of the performing arts for diverse audiences. The Manam Theatre Festival in Hyderabad presents thought-provoking plays for curious minds and captivating performances for absolute entertainment. The festival brings diverse, inclusive, and unconventional stories home to Hyderabad through contemporary acts, experimental productions, and new interpretations. Hyderabad’s very own ecosystem of art and culture. From November 24th to Dec 17, 2023, the festival brings together bouquets of performances, people, and places. Each weekend will include a performance by a home troupe on Friday and two plays by a visiting troupe on Saturday and Sunday. Sprinkled around these weekends are fringe events that aim to create conversation and exchange of ideas and engage the city’s community to interact with troupes. Passes available at https://in.bookmyshow.com/plays/manam-theatre-festival-2023/ET00374347
WEEKEND 4 (DEC 15-17, 2023)
BIRYANI AUR HALEEM BY SUTRADHAR (HYDERABAD)
In a world where food plays a central role, two beggars, Salim and Javed, embark on a comical journey to survive. They share their stories and methods as they seek charity, but their path takes a hilarious turn when they intercept a special Biryani meant for a Nawab, altering its destination to satisfy their own hunger. The play explores the humorous intricacies of their escapade and the universal theme of survival through food.
Directed by: Deepti Girotra
Story: An adaptation of ‘The Pie & The Tart’ by Hugh Chesterman
Cast: Ahmed Quraishi, Sattya Bhagat Reddy, Rahim Amir Ali Lalani, Deepti Girotra
Date: Friday, December 15, 2023
Show Timings: 7:30pm
Venue: Rangbhoomi Spaces, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
Language: Dakhani
Duration: 60 minutes
Recommended For: 6+
About Sutradhar
Sutradhar, as it stands today - a Theatre Group, a Casting House and a Voice and Acting School all rolled into one – is an umbrella of numerous initiatives. Formally launched in 1996 with its Casting wing, we have seen many milestones. Sutradhar is driven by the motivation of making sure that deserving talents are rightly recognized, nurtured and manifested. Having created a strong database of talented artists and counting, Sutradhar has become a hub of Actors, Voice Artistes, Scriptwriters, Translators, Directorial Crew, Technical Crew and many other portfolios. These associations have allowed Sutradhar to venture into production.
THE FAR POST BY DUR SE BROTHERS (MUMBAI)
Two enemy soldiers, killed in battle, embark on a journey into the afterlife with the help of an endearing Postman Aunty and her pet Goldfish. Set in a cold, mountainous landscape, where a border cuts through no man's land, the Postman Aunty operates out of a makeshift post office that serves mail to both sides of the conflict. As the soldiers navigate the trials and tests of the afterlife, letters from the war unfold, scars begin to heal, and peace feels close like a spring morning. Filled with elements of mask work, contemporary dance, and puppetry, 'The Final Journey' will transport you to a magical realm. The music, created by the Sikkimese band Sofiyum, blends Lepcha folk and contemporary sounds to create a distinct and captivating world in the snowy mountains.
Directed by: Yuki Ellias
Written by: Yuki Ellias
Co-produced by: G5A, BNP Paribas and Durse Brothers
Cast: Yuki Ellias, Tapas Boro
Crew: Sumaiya Merchant, Mati Rajput, Asmit Pathare, Priyanka Babbar, Phalguni Vittal Rao
Musicians: Ongyal Tshering Lepcha, Rathap Lepcha, Noel John Karthak, Pintsok Dechin Lepcha, Mickma Tshering Lepcha
Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023
Show Timings: 4.30pm & 8pm
Venue: MCRHRD, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
Language: Non-Verbal
Duration: 60 minutes
Recommended For: 12+
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM BY DUR SE BROTHERS (MUMBAI)
Master Tusk is a young boy, who has been given a new head - an elephant's head. Confused and bewildered, he finds himself lost in the forest. Danger lurks at every turn. He encounters a motley couple - Makadi (spider) and Moork (poacher), a clumsy duo in search of a big-ticket ransom. They kidnap Master Tusk, but their scheme goes awry when a prophecy is revealed and changes everything. Amidst a cursed love affair, an encounter with an eccentric old elephant and a hunt for a missing head, Master Tusk sets off on an adventure that changes his life. But will he be able to carry his head on his shoulders? Inspired by the world of Indian mythology, Elephant in the Room plays homage to the beloved God, Lord Ganapati, in this quirky and poignant reinterpretation of his story.
Directed by: Yuki Ellias
Story by: Yuki Ellias
Written by: Sneh Sapru
Cast: Yuki Ellias
Lighting Design: Asmit Pathare
Date: Sunday, December 17, 2023
Show Timings: 4.30pm & 8pm
Venue: MCRHRD, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
Language: English
Duration: 60 minutes
Recommended For: 12+
About Durse Brothers
Yuki Ellias is an actor, director, and business coach. As an actress, she has performed in the US, Canada, Australia, Italy and India. She played Hermia in the highly acclaimed production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Tim Supple at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon and the Roundhouse London. She was the Movement Director for UK’s leading opera company Opera North on their production of Mozart’s Magic Flute. Her theatre company Dur Se Brothers has produced four shows including the multi-award-winning play Elephant in the Room which has toured internationally including a run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017. As a corporate coach she uses theatre art techniques for high impact communication initiatives for global business leaders and teams across several industries. Yuki has trained at the Jacques Lecoq School for theatre in Paris and is a certified pedagogue from the London International school of Performing Arts.
