Theatre buffs hungry for foreign plays, 'Chitralekhe' exception

Tickets for various plays organised as part of the international multi-lingual theatre festival ‘Bahuroopi’ are selling like hot cakes. With the exception of Kannada play ‘Chitralekhe’, the tickets for which have been sold out in advance, this year there has been an increase in demand for foreign plays.

The theatre festival organised by Rangayana and the Department of Kannada and Culture in Mysuru, began from Friday and goes on till January 18. About 60% of the tickets of all plays, Indian and foreign language, were sold out even before the inauguration of the festival on Friday.

Of the 18 plays, four are foreign language plays. While a Sri Lankan troupe will stage ‘Sekkuwa’, a Sinhala and Tamil play on Saturday, Orzu Arts Theatre Company from London will stage ‘Mejnun-Madman in Love’ on January 15, and TBP from Poland will present an English play ‘Such is Life’ on January 16.

The Theatre Art Unit from Bangladesh will stage a Bengali play ‘Ameena Sundori’ on January 17. Authorities have fixed a price of Rs 50 and Rs 100 for Indian and foreign language plays respectively.

Convener of Bahuroopi S Ramanatha said all the plays are in great demand and 60% of the tickets are already sold out. He said even people from outside Mysuru have booked tickets online for weekend shows.

Pradeep, a theatre enthusiast, who had queued up to buy a ticket, said as foreign troupes are performing in the festival, it is a good opportunity for people to experience variety.