Helen O’Grady theater troupe from Mumbai to re-imagine classics at Vizag Junior Lit Fest

When a group of young actors from Mumbai take to the stage at the Vizag Junior Lit Fest (VJLF) at Hawa Mahal on November 8 and 9, they will bring with them months of disciplined rehearsals, creative collaboration and a spirit of dramatic exploration. Helen O’Grady Theater Troupe, comprising 20 students from classes 5 to 8 of SM Shetty International School, Powai, will present two contrasting plays: The Sound of Music and The Tempest. For this team of children, selected after auditioning 50 participants, the journey has been as important as the final performance. “We started with a large group of students and gradually narrowed it down to 20,” says Urvi Thakar, vice president of training at Helen O’Grady. “To shape the final production, we worked closely with them for two and a half months, refining character work, stage presence and coordination.” Deeptesh Kheda, senior instructor at Urvi and Helen O’Grady International, is guiding students through the process, balancing instruction with discovery.

The creative team decided to keep the staging simple from the beginning. “We wanted the narrative and performance to be given priority,” says Urvi. “Even without elaborate sets or props, when the characters and dialogue are strong, the play can keep the audience engaged.” The minimalist setting allows the children to focus on expression and timing, making for a brief but powerful presence on stage.

Mumbai’s Helen O’Grady Theater Troupe is performing the play The Tempest. The team will be in Visakhapatnam for Vizag Junior Lit Fest. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A distinctive feature of both productions is the use of pre-recorded sound, including dialogues. “Students are trained to coordinate their movements and expressions with pre-recorded dialogue and musical cues,” explains Urvi. “This helps them develop a deeper sense of timing, and at the same time, ensures that we avoid any last-minute technical setbacks.”

The musical foundation of The Sound of Music remains faithful to the much-loved film, with familiar tracks interspersed with new compositions created by the Helen O’Grady team. However, for The Tempest, the adaptation required careful reimagining. “Our version is a little different from Shakespeare,” says Urvi. “We have removed some of the dark parts and some of the elements that show violence.” The script has been simplified for clarity, yet the dignity of its original tone and elegance of language has been retained.

For the Helen O’Grady team, The Tempest holds special resonance. “This is a play that shows loyalty, forgiveness, strength, love and a touch of magic,” says Urvi. “We’ve performed it more than 50 times for adult audiences; but this version, designed for children, has the same emotional depth in a lighter, more accessible form.”

Sound of Music will be staged at The Tempest on 8th November and VJLF, Hawa Mahal on 9th November from 6 pm to 7 pm. Entry is free.