Transcending Theatrical Genres

Theatre plays generally begin in a dark room, then a focus light draws the audience's attention to the character on the stage; then, a voice describes the characters.

- SONU M KOTHARI

Theatre plays generally begin in a dark room, then a focus light draws the audience's attention to the character on the stage; then, a voice describes the characters. But, can you imagine an opening with a disclaimer? Not the ones that say that the characters are fictional or the play is not intended to hurt any living or dead. It is a request, stating, "Kooda pei edhana kutitu vandha, thonga venda nu sollidunaga. Marakama kaal oda kutitu poidunga (If you have brought any ghost with you, ask them not to hang around. Don't forget to take them back)."

Upon hearing this, one would assume they are in for an eerie play. But this horror-comedy play—a first by Theatre Genie group—is all for "clean, good entertainment." The 90-minute play, titled Nee Paathiya?, is set to take the audience to a different reality. "Our motto is to bring humour out of any serious situation," states the director, Girish Kumar.