Stills from Faisal Alkazi and plays | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Drama, Lower DepthWritten by Russian playwright Maxim Gorky and Stephanie Jacob againThe plays will be staged at Ranga Shankara in Bengaluru this weekend. Both the plays are directed by Faisal Alkhazi.
“Gorky’s plays are timeless masterpieces based on themes of despair, hope and resilience,” Faisal says over phone from Delhi.again It is a comedy that highlights the intricacies of family life. Lower Depth The novel takes place before the Russian Revolution and is based on Gorky’s direct experience of poverty and social injustice.”
An educationist, social activist and writer who has been at the helm of Indian theatre for over five decades with over 300 productions, Faizal founded the Ruchika Theatre Group in Delhi in 1972.
againFaisal says the story is about a family of four who were once very close to each other and reunite after years of separation. “This time, they are determined to make things right, but tensions mount as old wounds surface and untold truths are revealed. The family’s history, built up over time like layers of sedimentary rock, is revealed through conflicting memories and unspoken words.”
Faisal says with actors ranging in age from 18 to 84, an attempt was made to maintain the world before the Russian Revolution Lower depth. “It’s been an intense process, and the play is a rich production.”
set for lower depth, Faisal says, Haveli In Old Delhi. “It’s an 1870s building with massive stone walls covered in moss.” againFaisal says it cannot be called a happy drama. “It has some light moments and it was more challenging to work on. I had to really break my head over it.”
Faisal, the son of theatre director and teacher Ebrahim Alkazi, says his father has been a major influence on him. “I didn’t go to any formal acting school. I learnt by acting in plays and working with my father, so much so from his rehearsals that we called it the ‘Alkazi gharana’! We see it in classical arts where the child follows in his parents’ footsteps or in films with the Kapoor family.”
Faisal’s family has seven directors who are associated with theatre in one way or the other. Faisal says, “It is a beautiful experience to be connected to such a river. I am passing it on to my children. While working in theatre, I never felt like I am Ibrahim’s son. In fact, my father would not come for rehearsals. He would watch the rehearsals later and give his feedback, which was a good way to nurture our passion for theatre.”
As an educationist, Faisal says, “Some schools take theatre in education seriously. I often go to Chennai to direct plays for schools. The whole school gets involved. Participation is the first step. For one show, the audience started clapping continuously and these are moments that will stay with the child forever.”
When working with children, Faisal says he makes sure every child gets a chance. “Theatre is a fundamental part of education. In my experience, working with children and young people also helps them role play.”
When asked why theatre is bolder in talking about socio-political issues while cinema, which has a much bigger reach and budget, stays away from such subjects, Faisal says, “Theatre is a primal and intimate personal experience. The bond between the audience and the actor on stage cannot be created anywhere else. In theatre, I ask, ‘This has happened to me, has it happened to you too?’ The whole purpose of theatre is to hold a mirror up to the audience. In all our years in theatre, we have kept this in mind.”
Lower Depths will be staged on September 27 at 7.30pm and again on September 28. 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm at Ranga Shankara. Tickets available on BookMyShow and at the venue.
Published – September 26, 2024 11:44 am IST
