Helen O’Grady theatre troupe from Mumbai to reimagine classics at Vizag Junior Lit Fest

When a radical of young actors from Mumbai instrumentality the signifier astatine the Vizag Junior Lit Fest (VJLF) astatine Hawa Mahal connected November 8 and 9, they volition transportation with them months of disciplined rehearsal, originative collaboration and a tone of theatrical discovery. The Helen O’Grady theatre troupe, comprising 20 students from grades 5 to 8 of SM Shetty International School, Powai, volition contiguous 2 contrasting plays: The Sound of Music and The Tempest. For this squad of children, chosen aft an audition of 50 participants, the travel has been arsenic important arsenic the last performance. “We began with a ample excavation of students and gradually narrowed it down to 20,” says Urvi Thaker, vice president (training) of Helen O’Grady. “Over 2 and a fractional months, we worked intimately with them, refining quality work, signifier beingness and coordination, to signifier the last production.” Urvi and Diptesh Khera, elder trainer astatine Helen O’Grady International, person been guiding the students done this process, balancing acquisition with discovery.

The originative squad decided aboriginal connected to support the staging simple. “We wanted the communicative and performances to instrumentality precedence,” says Urvi. “Even without elaborate sets oregon props, erstwhile the characters and dialog are strong, the play tin clasp the audience.” The minimalist mounting allows the children’s expressions and timing to go the focus, bringing retired an understated yet almighty signifier presence.

A distinctive diagnostic of some productions is the usage of pre-recorded sound, including dialogues. “The students person been trained to sync their movements and expressions with pre-recorded dialog and philharmonic cues,” Urvi explains. “It helps them make a keen consciousness of timing, and astatine the aforesaid time, it ensures we debar immoderate last-minute method setbacks.”

The philharmonic instauration of The Sound of Music remains faithful to the much-loved film, with acquainted tracks interwoven with caller compositions created by the Helen O’Grady team. For The Tempest, however, the adaptation required cautious reimagining. “Our mentation is somewhat antithetic from Shakespeare’s,” says Urvi. “We person removed immoderate acheronian parts and immoderate elements showing violence.” The publication has been simplified for clarity, yet the dignity of its archetypal code and the elegance of connection person been preserved.

For the Helen O’Grady team, The Tempest holds peculiar resonance. “It’s a play that captures loyalty, forgiveness, power, emotion and a interaction of magic,” Urvi reflects. “We’ve performed this for big audiences much than 50 times; but this version, tailored for children, carries the aforesaid affectional extent successful a lighter, much accessible form.”

The Tempest volition beryllium staged connected November 8 and Sound of Music connected November 9 astatine VJLF astatine Hawa Mahal from 6pm to 7pm. Entry is free.