Picture Credit: metawards.com
Venue: American Centre
Mahindra Excellence Theatre Festival 2019 is on in full swing. META is a competition and we had watched one of contenders, “Bhagi Hui Ladkiyan” at American Centre a while back. This play is directed by Dhwani Vij and is produced by Aagaz Theatre Trust, New Delhi.
The actors are four teenage girls with no starry air. But the moment they take stage, it is like magic. They are transformed into protagonists. They speak loud and clear in Hindi and each girl starts off with glimpses of their daily life in Nizamuddin Basti. As part of the audience we wonder what is happening. But in a while, the girls move into more complex space. Each one narrates incidents from her life that speaks volumes about gender issues. None of them are raped, killed or tortured. And yet we get to see how sexuality creeps into manipulating the lives of these young girls. The script is in first person. Towards the end; the actors invite the audience up on stage to demonstrate all those areas in their neighborhood that are beyond access to them just because they are girls.
It is a crisp piece that is done within an hour. The plot unveils in the most interesting manner. Towards the end, we ask for more. But the real power of the production has to be the actors. It is difficult to distinguish between the girls and the roles they play – they are so integrated to the act. All of them cooperate with neither outshining the other. One of them could be boisterous, the other a little shy, as nature made all of us. They provide subtle yet powerful performances so much so that we are still thinking about the mirror this production is holding to the society.
“Bhagi Hui Ladkiyan” is a must watch.
I love discovering new musicals and plays. Such a fun night out.
Looks like a lively act. Haven’t watched any similar play yet but looking forward to see one.
It is so great to experience new performances! I always look forward to finding new plays and this sounds like a great one.
I love acting and I love watching plays. This story sounds interesting to aware people.
This sounds really interesting. I love plays (and movies) that are relatable like this. I hope the play does really well, it sounds great.
This sounds like such a good play. It’s so nice that they make plays like these that are timely and relevant, would love to see it someday.
A great play makes you feel a part of it and it sounds like this one did. Bravo!
A great play makes you feel a part of it and it sounds like this one did. Bravo!
I’ am huge fan of musical and play. This is so interesting to aware people. nice one!
I’m glad it turned out so wonderful. What a fun twist to have the audience come up and fit in too.