CAN PIRANDELLO REBOOT DELHI'S THEATRE SCENE?
The Morning Standard|October 19, 2024
Theatre legend MK Raina sounds the alarm on the future of the theatre scene in Delhi, once the centre of dramatic arts in the country. His new production of Luigi Pirandello's controversial 1921 play to be staged tonight is a means to urge society to ask the hard questions.
Kartik Chauhan
CAN PIRANDELLO REBOOT DELHI'S THEATRE SCENE?

WHEN it was first performed in Italy in 1921, Luigi Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author caused riots on the streets of Rome. Orio Vergani, an eye-witness to the aftermath of the first performance, wrote: "Beautiful women, with painted lips, jeered and repeated: madhouse! Elegant young men with white ties sneered and shouted insults [...]" Despite its early reception, or rather, rejection, the play has been performed globally and repeatedly over the last century, with stellar actors in key roles—Ralph Fiennes played the Producer in a 1987 production. Eminent thespian and activist MK Raina has brought the play to Delhi with a Hindi production: Lekhak Ki Khoj Mein Kirdar.

Shouldered by a superb cast—Rakesh Kumar Singh, Kavita Seth, Arti Nayar, Aradhana Singh, Pakhi Sinha and others—this unforgettable Indian production of a classic Italian play that redirected the trajectory of modern European drama in the 20th century is a clarion call in many ways.

Pirandellism meets Rainaism

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE MORNING STANDARDView all
The Morning Standard

Healing with art

NOW, what I want you all to do is, draw your inner mask and outer mask,\" instructs Vasavi Eriki as we grab our A4 sheets in unison and curiously look at the unknown faces on our screens at 'Explore, Express and Heal', an online art therapy workshop organised by Pause for Perspective.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 06, 2024
Jr NTR's Devara: Part 1 gets OTT release date
The Morning Standard

Jr NTR's Devara: Part 1 gets OTT release date

On Tuesday, Netflix announced that the Jr NTR-starrer Devara: Part 1 is coming to the platform on November 8.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
The Morning Standard

7 guarantees in INDIA manifesta

THE INDIA bloc on Tuesday released its manifesto for the Jharkhand Assembly polls, promising the Sarna religion code for tribals, while guaranteeing Khatian-based domicile policy to woo the natives.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
Eyes on host city as IOA submits letter of intent for 2036 Olympics
The Morning Standard

Eyes on host city as IOA submits letter of intent for 2036 Olympics

THE Indian Olympic Association has finally submitted the letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee on October 1.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 06, 2024
ERIGAISI SURVIVES ANOTHER CLOSE MATCH
The Morning Standard

ERIGAISI SURVIVES ANOTHER CLOSE MATCH

A win today will see the Indian GM becoming World Number 2

time-read
2 mins  |
November 06, 2024
The Morning Standard

Delhi up against table toppers Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH are on a roll after initial disappointment when they lost their first match against Railways.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
The Morning Standard

1574 players sign up for IPL mega auction

A WHOPPING 1574 cricketers, including 1165 Indians, have signed up for the mega auction ahead of the Indian Premier League 2025 which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, the BCCI announced on Tuesday.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
Djokovic withdraws from ATP Finals due to injury
The Morning Standard

Djokovic withdraws from ATP Finals due to injury

NOVAK Djokovic won't defend his ATP Finals title after ruling himself out on Tuesday due to an unspecified injury.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
The Morning Standard

Muralikrishnan, Xiaomi India head, resigns

CHINESE smart devices firm Xiaomi's India head Muralikrishnan B has resigned from the company to pursue his interest in academic research, the company said on Monday.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
The Morning Standard

Trade barriers could rise if Trump wins

THE US election results could have a far-reaching impact on global trade if Donald Trump emerges victorious on November 12, the election results day.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024