Some powerful images

Using theatre as a platform for social change is not a new concept. Over the years, we have seen this form of dramatics take on many avatars. But this attempt at establishing change is almost always accompanied by an understanding of the said change. And as Heraclitis said, the only constant is change itself. The evolution of developmental theatre has been enormous and many in the city use it as an effective way to communicate.

Director Ashish Sen is known for picking scripts that have a strong point to make. In his latest venture, ‘Flypaper Trap’, he will showcase the story of a girl’s demonised thoughts and the impact it has on her and the people around her. The script, written by Swati Simha, is full of powerful imagery, which is what caught Ashish’s eye. “The powerful, disturbing images leap out when you read the script. It uses strong metaphors to depict the world we live in,” he says.

‘Flypaper Trap’ doesn’t hesitate to talk about gender roles and identities, and resonates on a personal and political level. “The play takes a hard look at how the rhetoric of demonising the ‘other’ and the language of genocide enter a young girl’s mind and actions. The girl’s mind is demonised by her family because of the biases they hold and this has an impact on her and other around her. It examines relationships, contrasts love with hate and the conflict that follows.” This, according to Ashish, is a good way to reinforce and make relevant narratives that are otherwise sidelined.

The play is co-directed by Ashish and Niranjan Gokhale, and features Sindhu S, Rakesh Batra, Nakul Bhalla, Mikhail Sen, Maahir Mohiuddin, Lekha Naidu and Manosh Sengupta. It opened in Mumbai as a part of the Writers Bloc Theatre Festival and will premiere in Bengaluru on June 11 at Ranga Shankara.

Ashish says that he was excited to be a part of the festival because it encourages Indian drama writing in English. On how theatre for social change has evolved in India, he adds, “With changing times, theatre must adapt to find its audience. The biggest challenge for theatre in India is that it’s losing its audience. The lines between different forms of theatre are blurring to make a point.” He sees a coming together of different mediums of communication as a way to help each other. This, in particular, includes the online space, which has to work alongside theatre for plays to do well. “Theatre is a powerful vehicle of sensitisation that can create immediate change in an individual or change on a community level.”

He can’t emphasise enough on the role theatre plays in making a change. Known for plays like ‘Samara’s Song’ and ‘9 Jakhoo Hill’, Ashish has always chosen his scripts carefully and makes sure they leave an after-taste in the audience. If plays are forgettable and don’t make one think, they haven’t reached their full potential.

‘Flypaper Trap’ will play on June 11, at 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm, at Ranga Shankara. Tickets are priced at Rs 200; for details, log on to www.bookmyshow.com