The ambitious theatre production Club Desire, is all set to be performed for the first time in Bengaluru. Inspired by French Opera Carmen, the 100 minute adaptation penned down by Sapan Saran, is a rediscovery of the classic by Georges Bizet, and questions the nature of love, tradition, freedom, possession as well as anarchy.
The play unfolds in a nightclub in Mumbai, where Chahat, a free-spirited singer at Club Desire is spotted by Jayram, a poet. Sparks fly between the two and they are drawn into an unusual and passionate relationship. The two are sucked into a tragic whirlpool of emotions as they struggle to hold on to their relationship after the entrance of DJ Abeer.
The play’s director, Sunil Shanbagh reveals, “Recreating the story in order for it to suit the Indian context, was quite a complicated task.”
The critically- acclaimed director who has no formal training in theatre adds, “More layers needed to be added and incorporated into the original storyline for it to be relatable and applicable here.”
Sunil has also directed a number of other plays like Cotton 56, Polyester 84, Dreams of Taleem and even a musical Stories in a Song.
“I watched the opera years ago on television, when I was in France and learnt that there are already a number of adaptations of the production,” says Sunil, about Carmen. “Since then, I’ve wanted to do an adaptation of my own of the Opera,” reveals the director who worked extensively with Satyajit Dubey.
But being a part of the theatre industry wasn’t part of the plan for Sunil. “I met Satyajit Dubey when I was 17, by accident and he has been a huge inspiration to me,” he says about Dubey, who considered Sunil as one of his foremost protégés.
Since then Sunil has been involved in the industry and even went on to work with Shyam Benegal. “It’s always a challenge to put together the works of a number of actors on a single stage, but I have always managed,” says Sunil who also admits that he had to direct the least number of people for this production!
So what makes this different from the other productions? “The fact that it’s an
Indian adaptation of Carmen makes it an unusual and interesting watch,” says Sunil, in conclusion.
Club Desire will be performed at the Jagriti Theatre in Whitefield, on July 15 and 16 at 8 pm, and on July 17 at 3 pm and 6.30 pm.
