Chennai Art Theatre Festival to stage 6 plays on the human experience

CHENNAI: Chennai’s theatre space just got augmented and finer. The CAT Festival (Chennai Art Theatre Festival), curated by Shakira Mukthar from Chennai Art Theatre will allow groups of artistes with a zeal to the craft, and a quality script for obvious reasons, to not only promote creativity and innovation, but also ensure that theatre remains accessible and dynamic.

This broad approach will help in creating a vibrant cultural tapestry and encourage a democratic and varied theatrical experience. Six theatre plays, six theatrical genres will be showcased, which will have slices of drama, social issues, emotions, horror and comedy. Basically there is something for everybody!

By showcasing a wide range of performances, the CAT Festival not only highlights the richness of the theatrical landscape, but also supports the continued relevance and impact of theatre in addressing and reflecting on the complexities of human experience.

Dedication to Rohith Vemula, Divya-Ilavarasan

‘Tempest: Unmuting The Muted Voices’ is a drama written by Thalamuthukumar and directed collaboratively by Ranjith, Afina, Ravin Babu and Hemanath collectively under Curtain Calls theatre wing of the English Department, Madras University. It anthologies a wide range of Dalit issues to spotlight. From portraying the pain of Rohith Vemula who is scripting down suicide letters, the hell-echoing yell of manual scavengers inside the manhole, the brutal massacre of Keezhvenmani, atrocious honour killing of Ilavarasan and Divya and so many Daliticides (the brutal attack happening over Dalits). The play starts by featuring the recent Armstrong's murder and ends with a satirical dialogue between Ekalaivan and Drona.

Armstrong's recent murder gets metamorphosed to the term of Daliticide. The play will echo the muted voices in a rebellious manner, without provoking self-pity. The team also dedicates the play to Rohith Vemula.

Convolutions of love

A poignant exploration of a fractured relationship between Arjun and Sara, ‘Silence Between Us’ is set in the unique ambiance of the Feelings Café. Arjun, overwhelmed by his insecurities and possessiveness, tries to reconnect with Sara after their breakup. Sara, however, has moved on, burdened by the suffocating nature of their past relationship. The presence of Unarvi, a robot designed to analyse emotions and act as a therapist, adds a layer of humour and insight to the tense conversation.

The play highlights the importance of self-awareness and the dangers of possessiveness in relationships. It encourages the audience to understand that sometimes, letting go is necessary for personal growth and well-being of both individuals in a relationship.

Bigotry at workspace

‘4Play’ is the story of a day in the life of an IT couple living together who work for the same organisation. Directed by Nandhakumar, starring Rohini and Suren, 4Play shows a girl working in the development team, and the boy in the support team, discussing their appraisal day. A chilled-out girl and a tensed boy undergo various emotions and what starts as an intimate encounter, goes as an intense discussion is the premise.

The IT industry has broken a lot of conventional workplace practices like uniform-free attire, cabin-less open office, common pantry areas, and flexible work timings. Though such conventional practices in a workplace are broken, there is unnoticed discrimination that happens, even in the most advanced industry of human revolution, which is giving differential treatment to people based on their impact in the organisation. Most of us spend one-third of our lifetime in a workplace and don't even realise we are part of this treatment within the workplace.

‘Surfing’ in love, at every ‘tide’ possible

Set in an anthropomorphic fantasy world, ‘Shirt & Sweet’ explores the love story between a yellow shirt on display (Shirt), and a mannequin doll (Sweety) in a famous clothing store. They are happily in love, living a beautiful life in ‘comfort’, ‘surfing’ in love, at every ‘tide’ possible. Tragedy strikes when the villain of the play, a morattu single, buys the yellow shirt during an Aadi offer, separating the love birds. The story follows their attempt to reunite in every way possible. Theatre Genie presents one of a kind play of humanising objects, with a fun take on their emotions. It also follows the life of a single guy desperately trying to get married. How reels and reality collides, makes it hilarious with rib tickling counters and puns, not to forget, lots of romance.

Please dial B for safety

'Dial B for Besant Nagar' is a comedy thriller about two women who suddenly find themselves in the midst of a serial killer. The team tries to add something fun to an otherwise intriguing, yet sober narrative with three absolutely wacky characters. It's a fun ride all along! There is no moral as such, except maybe that if there's a serial killer at large, don't let anyone in the house!

A mother’s unwavering crescendo

Sameer, a young musician, spirals into drug use in a desperate search for creative inspiration, ultimately leading to a fatal overdose. His grieving mother, a renowned figure in the film industry, and a former member of a powerful cult, seeks to warn her deceased son about the afterlife by returning to the very cult she betrayed. Her actions ignite a series of supernatural events that blur the line between life and death. As a ghost, Sameer finds himself haunted by the living who sense his presence. He eventually confronts his fate, accepting his death as he slowly realises he is no longer among the living. ‘Crescendo’ showcases the extreme lengths a mother will go to for her child. The play reveals how her unwavering devotion pushes her beyond the bounds of sanity and reality, forcing her to confront past horrors in a desperate quest to reach out to her son.

Be part of the CAT Festival exclusively on September 7, with two shows, one at 4 pm and the other at 7 pm, at Medai - The Stage, Alwarpet.