Book your tickets as Mumbai hosts Theatre Olympics' last lap
After touring for 36 days in 17 cities across India, the 8th Theatre Olympics, world's largest theatre fest has arrived to its final stop: Mumbai. The plan for the theater festival was unveiled on March 16. Mumbai will host 28 performances under the theme: 'Flag of Friendship' from March 24 to April 8, the last one to be held at the Gateway of India.
This year, a staggering 25,000 artists performed in 450 shows
This year, a staggering 25,000 artists performed in 450 shows, 600 ambience performances, and 250 youth shows. Notably, India is hosting the festival for the first time. Organized by NSD and the Directorate of cultural affairs in India, it opened in Delhi keeping Red Fort as backdrop. The entry is free, since "we want to promote importance of theatre," says Professor Kendra, Director, NSD.
Mumbai's theatre treat: Plays by eminent directors, international productions
The mega event will include plays from theatre directors like Waman Kendra (Mohe Piya), Sohag Sen (Sonata), Ravishankar Khare (Rashmakirathi), Soumitra Chatterjee (Phera). Eight international productions from Belgium, China and Australia - Shri 420, Almost Alive, Xuan Zang's Pilgrimage - will also be showcased. "Most of the plays are silent but the rest will be in various languages, not just in Hindi," added Kendra.
Veteran actor Ashok Banthia asks for strong attendance
Japan, China, South Korea were the previous hosts
Established in 1995 at Delphi, Greece, the Theatre Olympics has been held earlier in many Asian countries like Japan (1999), South Korea (2010) and China (2014). The other places where this festival was held are Russia (2001), Turkey (2006) and Poland (2016).
