Heard of short films? All of us have. But short plays are surely something new. And if you think theatre as a medium is limited when it comes to subject, think again. Presenting an array of short plays with topics encompassing origin of the concept of Devdasis, the women reservation bill, the importance of having a virtual existence and just sheer comedy is S.K.it.S — So Keep It Short, an initiative by Dramanon, city-based theatre group. As part of their 12th anniversary celebrations, Dramanon has organised S.K.it.S, with an aim to promote theatre culture and encourage individuals to be actively involved in the community.
A 12 minute short play competition, S.K.it.S aims to provide a platform for aspiring groups, actors, writers, directors and production teams to display their talent in a unique format, but keeping it short.Of the 30 teams that registered for the competition, about 24 scripts have been shortlisted — both in English and Hindi. The participants, surprisingly are not just from independent theatre groups. Apart from theatre enthusiasts, people pursuing acting as a hobby from various colleges and corporate companies are participating in large numbers. Even theatre veterans like Shanker Melkote and Vijay Marur will be participating in the competition.
Some of the groups performing are Just Drama and their play Happy Birthday, Madhur group’s My Daughter’s Facebook, Manch, an ISB theatre group that has three entries, including Clara’s Husband, The Waiting and Happy Journey, Little Theatre’s Welcoming The Star and Man Oh Man, Aarohi’s Five Women and a Bill, among others. Depicting the story of Devdasis is the Darpan Theatre group, an initiative run by COVA (Confederation of Voluntary Associations).
Elaborating on the plot of his play, Vijay Marur from the Little Theatre says, “My play is all about how old men are perceived by the society today. Like how, if youngsters get dread locks, it is cool, but if old men have them, they are tagged unhygienic. Not just this, in many instances they are tagged are dirty and perverted. The play revolves around this. For more on it, you’ll have to watch the play.”
Another participant from Aarohi, Sushma Nittala, says, “Our play Five Women and a Bill is about how the whole women reservation bill affects different types of women. Our five women are five different people, with different ideologies, perspectives and experience. The story revolves around them.”
All teams will be divided into four groups and will perform over four shows, spread across three days. Two teams from each show will be selected for the finals. Participants will be competing for prizes worth `1,00,000. The competition will be screened by a panel of judges and which also features an audience vote. Elaborating more on the event, RK Shenoy, founder, Dramanon, explains, “We have had some great response from people and this is probably a first-of-its-kind in the city. The shows will be held in two phases. — the prelims, which will be held on August 3, 4 and 5 and finals on August 12 at the NIFT Auditorium.”
During the prelims, a panel of judges comprising of theatre personalities of Hyderabad will choose a Best Play for each show and audience also gets to vote for their favourite group. Therefore eight best plays will make it through to the finals. The awards galore includes, Best play, Best Actor, Best Director and Audience choice award for best play.
For more details regarding tickets contact [email protected]
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