Speaking my tongue
Regional plays traditionally had a following of people who understood the language. Nowadays, people have started appreciating regional theatre even if the words are incomprehensible.
VIJAY TIMES LIFE PAGE - 3
PUJA GOYAL
THEATRE is a good medium by which one can measure the cultural growth of a city. Last year saw the staging of many plays in different languages, yet the myth remains that theatre is not well-received by the audience. Does it have to do with good quality productions or does it have to do with the language barrier?
Anjaan has been a part of many productions. He elaborates, "Theatre by virtue of it being a niche entertainment form, will always be less accepted compared to film or other entertainment (live concerts, fashion shows and parties) There still exists a feeling among common man that "theatre" is still a medium for a select audience. Since everything Regional (Films, Music, and Stars) is veering away from the ëuncoolí factor that it previously had, even theatre follows the same path. Regional plays have always had a following with people who understand and cherish the language. Now, people who don't understand the language have also started appreciating regional theatre."
Most individuals have now cited that they enjoy regional plays, but there are still many problems that need to be tackled in order to restore our heritage in theatre. First, we were enamored by English theatre forms due to their distinct flavour; as a result the essence of our own theatre structures and styles faded into anonymity. While there are a few who have remained true to their artform, they have slowly diminished into oblivion. The numbers who have considered theatre as a primary form of entertainment are minimal. What needs to be questioned now is what keeps the audience away? Compared to local theatres, troupes from other states and countries have received a far more positive response. Plays like Perchance to Dream and the festivals like Kadambari (by NSD) which brought a series of plays to Bangalore have had very good audiences.
"Most of my plays being in English have had an Indian English flavour in the language used on stage. Audience therefore has been predominant urban Indians who understand English. Also the audience has been more often than not, an educated lot, who understand the pathos that the medium tries to communicate. Gone are the days when people performed theatre for the love of art. Today theatre is all about sponsorship, covering costs and ticket sales," explains Anjaan.
"Therefore the smart move would be to publicise and market your product strategically to result in maximum ticket sales. So if regional plays are marketed well enough, they too will get massive publicity. Old school theatre people might disagree with me when I state that the only way theatre can explode in the country is to take the commercial angle. If it means making regional theatre accessible to the masses and English theatre accessible to more than just the urban niche, then so be it. On the other hand, theatre will never get a professional status in the traditional meaning of the term. This is because; there will always be a bunch of college kids with a smart script, talented acting and ticket sales."
"Good Corporate sponsorship results in glamorous sets, creative direction, good scripts, and actors who take the craft seriously. The entire theatre fraternity reaches a higher level of motivation. So the best way for the medium to grow is to create awareness among corporates as to how branding in theatre can be beneficial to them. Theatre today is running on commercial brandwagon and unless each production is marketed, the production houses are doomed. While most theatre enthusiasts are hopeful that theatre will get its due, the question remains if the viewership would increase in the coming years or would it just remain a novelty.
Brands are looking outside their orthodox routines of branding and advertising and are looking at more dynamic ways to get their brand message out there to their target. And theatre seems to be increasing its budget every year. So time will give us a real answer, but I would reply in the positive," hopes Anjaan.
VIJAY TIMES LIFE PAGE - 3
PUJA GOYAL
THEATRE is a good medium by which one can measure the cultural growth of a city. Last year saw the staging of many plays in different languages, yet the myth remains that theatre is not well-received by the audience. Does it have to do with good quality productions or does it have to do with the language barrier?Anjaan has been a part of many productions. He elaborates, "Theatre by virtue of it being a niche entertainment form, will always be less accepted compared to film or other entertainment (live concerts, fashion shows and parties) There still exists a feeling among common man that "theatre" is still a medium for a select audience. Since everything Regional (Films, Music, and Stars) is veering away from the ëuncoolí factor that it previously had, even theatre follows the same path. Regional plays have always had a following with people who understand and cherish the language. Now, people who don't understand the language have also started appreciating regional theatre."
Most individuals have now cited that they enjoy regional plays, but there are still many problems that need to be tackled in order to restore our heritage in theatre. First, we were enamored by English theatre forms due to their distinct flavour; as a result the essence of our own theatre structures and styles faded into anonymity. While there are a few who have remained true to their artform, they have slowly diminished into oblivion. The numbers who have considered theatre as a primary form of entertainment are minimal. What needs to be questioned now is what keeps the audience away? Compared to local theatres, troupes from other states and countries have received a far more positive response. Plays like Perchance to Dream and the festivals like Kadambari (by NSD) which brought a series of plays to Bangalore have had very good audiences.
"Most of my plays being in English have had an Indian English flavour in the language used on stage. Audience therefore has been predominant urban Indians who understand English. Also the audience has been more often than not, an educated lot, who understand the pathos that the medium tries to communicate. Gone are the days when people performed theatre for the love of art. Today theatre is all about sponsorship, covering costs and ticket sales," explains Anjaan.
"Therefore the smart move would be to publicise and market your product strategically to result in maximum ticket sales. So if regional plays are marketed well enough, they too will get massive publicity. Old school theatre people might disagree with me when I state that the only way theatre can explode in the country is to take the commercial angle. If it means making regional theatre accessible to the masses and English theatre accessible to more than just the urban niche, then so be it. On the other hand, theatre will never get a professional status in the traditional meaning of the term. This is because; there will always be a bunch of college kids with a smart script, talented acting and ticket sales."
"Good Corporate sponsorship results in glamorous sets, creative direction, good scripts, and actors who take the craft seriously. The entire theatre fraternity reaches a higher level of motivation. So the best way for the medium to grow is to create awareness among corporates as to how branding in theatre can be beneficial to them. Theatre today is running on commercial brandwagon and unless each production is marketed, the production houses are doomed. While most theatre enthusiasts are hopeful that theatre will get its due, the question remains if the viewership would increase in the coming years or would it just remain a novelty.
Brands are looking outside their orthodox routines of branding and advertising and are looking at more dynamic ways to get their brand message out there to their target. And theatre seems to be increasing its budget every year. So time will give us a real answer, but I would reply in the positive," hopes Anjaan.
The smart move would be to publicise and market your product strategically to result in maximum ticket sales. If regional plays are marketed well-enough, they too will get massive publicity. Anjaan - Theatre Personality
Comments