Avantika Tomar
Fourteen days before the first show and I am already quite certain of having withdrawal symptoms post June 6th. That’s how much I have liked the whole experience of working with fellow actors from the play, the crew at Nautanki Theatre and most of all, our fabulous director.
Bedtime Story has had tremendous impact on me as an actor and definitely reinforces some of my beliefs in and about life. It is one of the more challenging plays I have done and the fact that I am playing three characters, each of them very distinct, doesn’t make my job any easier. For those who are familiar with the Mahabharatha, I am playing Draupadi from the epic, her corresponding modern day Hindu character named Rupali and Muslim character named Salma. I have pushed myself as an actor in this play and am certainly doing things that a month back I would not have considered myself to be capable of. The parallel plots in the play, the religious and political undertone in them, and the deconstruction of an age old epic and what it means to an Avantika Tomar of 2015 have all sort of grown on me.
The journey has most definitely been evolutionary and I have enjoyed sharing the road with Joyraj Bhattacharjee and some amazing actors. From a Hindi names pronunciation class to a moving dead body to effortless (well, not really) lifting of 60kg ‘weight’ to intense discussions on secularism, this journey would not have been as much fun without you guys. I owe a lot to all of you and look forward to working with you soon.
Sanjeev Raja
Nautanki Theatre takes its work very seriously and aims for excellence in approaching the subjects for their plays and performers. Despite being on a shoe string budget they aim for the best. Selection of good venues, and the quality of performance is always in their thoughts. They have a permanent venue completely dedicated for the performing arts. The lighting and set designs are innovative and their quality is not compromised. This theatre company does not hesitate to get the best person for the job even if the person has to be brought from overseas. There is clarity of purpose and thought process in all that is done here.
This is the 3rd production that I am involved with in this group. The actors and performers are respected and well treated. They are encouraged to perform and given a free hand and have their say in their understanding their characters. The group gels well without being overbearing and still leaving space to expand. I have seen some very good actors and some very good learners in this group. The facilities are at the rehearsal venue are good and kept clean. Actors are not under undue pressure from directors and fellow actors. This is a good group to work with and it is a place for any level of talent. The values are kept simple and the focus is on the forthcoming productions and bigger horizons.
Naveen Roberts
When I first read the play I sort of got the gist, but from day to day practice it has begun to emerge as masterfully scripted with cutting edge insight into the dark side of human nature that dresses up in conniving niceness and charm to serve greed, ambition and blind personal interest at the cost of true advancement.
It is a play that strips bare to reveal the cruelty, injustice, temporal greed, exploitation, deception and abuse of ill gotten privilege dressing itself up as something good, the same as found in today’s world and which continues to undermine humanity’s true entitlements of happiness and the things that really matter.
It may appear trite to say, but is true: No-one really wins. Everyone loses a war. And that for a long time to follow. The aftermath being a hard and painful way to undergo some measure of awakening from spoon fed carrot and stick fantasies that keeps us all chained to the marketing ploys of unscrupulous and sophisticated thieves that invariably seek to rule, but lack the qualifications that count.
Kiran Nagarkar’s BEDTIME STORY transcends the ages and holds a mirror up to human conscience for those with the guts to confront the pain of truth and the extent to which they too are either to some extent guilty or have been beguiled. Or both.
I sincerely hope we actors can do the play justice.
