Bhubaneswar: Today is March 13, a sombre day. On this date last year, most theatres across the world were shut down due to the pandemic.
To commemorate the occasion, over 100 productions of ‘White Rabbit Red Rabbit’ will be staged across different countries at 8 pm local time. It is part of a global initiative called ‘Let There be Theatre’.
In India, the play will be staged in three languages — English, Hindi and Marathi. Odisha-born theatre and TV artist Jayati Bhatia will stage the Hindi version of this unique initiative.
It’s unique because along with Jayati, the other two actors Mantra Mugdh (English) and Pushkaraj Chirputkar (Marathi) will have to perform extempore without any rehearsal.
“It is devised in such a way that the actors are expected to read the script for the first time when they get up on stage to perform the play. There are no rehearsals. They have no prior knowledge of what the plot entails. So, they have to think and act on their feet,” explained Quasar Thakore Padamsee, who has produced the play.
It’s no wonder that Jayati, who was born at Ambodala in Rayagada district, is a bundle of nerves ahead of the staging of the play on Saturday evening.
“Jayati had called me up panicking one day, saying, ‘Haan toh bol diya maine, lekin ab haalat kharab ho rahi hain’ (I have said yes, but now it’s nerve-wracking),” shared Padamsee.
Apart from the concept, the origin of the play itself is quite unique too. It was written by Nassim Soleimanpur, an Iranian playwright who was barred from leaving his country.
“He had refused to serve in the military and therefore his passport was impounded. So, he came up with this concept where his play could travel all over the world even though he couldn’t. He didn’t want directors like me interfering with his work. That’s why Nassim devised an idea of writing a letter to the audience, with the actor relaying his message even though they have no prior knowledge of what it entails,” Padamsee was quoted as saying by Mid-Day.
Jayati’s Telly Journey
Jayati started her TV career as a protagonist with Balaji Telefilms soap opera ‘Itihass’. This was followed by several series including ‘Kanyadaan’, ‘Kutumb’, ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’ and ‘Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin’.
Jayati’s recent work includes the daily soap ‘Sasural Simar Ka’ which was broadcast from 2011 to 2018 on Colors TV. The series is among the longest running shows on Indian television.
