They say theatre is a work of art, it exemplifies creativity and aesthetic bliss. The Book of Poetry directed by theatre actor and trainer Rajesh PI aims to do just that. It is a devised theatre production directed in the style of Body Theatre. This style of theatre is symbolised by actors playing multiple roles in a highly physical performance, in the absence of traditional lights, make-up amps and costumes. Body Theatre relies on tremendous amount of sync among actors and its more about how you paint the stage vividly with your actions.
The Book of Poetry is inspired by all the poets who have ever walked on the face of the earth, and all the poets who are yet to come by and flourish. Poetry is a metaphor for all the arts. Art is the conscience keeper for all of mankind and it urges us to recognise a greater beauty, the purity of spirit and awakens us to a higher reality. The poet exists in each one of us, in differing degrees. This play is a clarion call to look within and to nurture the artiste within. The production is multi-lingual with English being predominantly used.
It is a high-energy performance with actors playing multiple parts with no reliance on sets or props. This production is entertaining while at the same time providing food for thought.
Speaking about the interesting facts of the play, Rajesh PI who played a dominant character in internationally acclaimed Kannada Movie The Last Bus says, “This form is called as body theatre and stress is not on costumes or props but more on movement. Actors in the play become a moment, through a scenario and dynamic production. It’s a story of a poet, how there is poetry and how different points of time people kill it. The group has experienced and talented in playback theatre. The Last was an amazing experience. I began by conducting classes for the whole team and we bonded like a family.”
The Actors Collective is a new, yet at the same time old entity. Much like the “complicated relationship status on social networking, Rajesh PI, who spearheads this group started his theatre journey 22 years ago while his group was formed a little over a year ago. The group specialises in Playback Theatre.
This is their first production under their new banner. Their actors have gained tremendous acclaim wherever they have performed and Rajesh himself owes his tremendous acting prowess towards theatre. Having been trained by him personally for my Hollywood directed Kannada movie debut, one can expect an incredible performance by all the actors with breathtaking artistry at play.
The play is being performed at Lahe Lahe in Indiranagar on May 21 and 22.
The writer is an art curator and art expert.
