Theatre on TV! Artists share their views on Theatre getting a larger stage on the occasion of World Theatre DayMumbai,

Theatre on TV! Artists share their views on Theatre getting a larger stage on the occasion of World Theatre DayMumbai,

 26 March 2019: Initiated by the International Theatre Institute ITI in 1961, World Theatre Day is celebrated annually on 27th March. It is a day when theatre artists and all members of the Theatre groups come together to celebrate one of the oldest and revered art forms. Theatre stalwarts like Sonali Kulkarni, Mita Vashisht, Joy Sengupta, Vikram Gokhale etc. who have enacted in famous plays share their views on how cinematic format of Theatre will allow it to be enjoyed by a larger audience. Cinematic format involves theatre plays today are being shot especially on camera and made available across screens by content distribution platforms. 

Sonali Kulkarni from the play White Lily and Night Rider

Theatre is an important part of our culture and it is our responsibility to pass on the legacy to the upcoming generations. For today’s generation who is impatient, who wants the best quality service, who doesn’t want to be stuck in a theatre feeling deprived that they did not get a seat in the front row, televising a play is the best opportunity for everyone to feel that they are in the centre seat of the first row. I think Tata Sky Theatre along with Zee Theatre is going to matter a lot because more than a live performance, a screen performance is more watched.

Mita Vashisht from the play Agnipankh

Cinematic theatre will not be able to completely replace the element of adventure that a live theatre performance gives to an audience. However, when it comes to educating the youth about the significance of theatre, exposing them to the exemplary performances of theatre stalwarts and reviving its glory, the cinematic format of theatre is the way to go and Tata Sky Theatre powered by Zee Theatre makes that possible. The audience is evolving, specially the youth and they want everything on the go, including entertainment, then why not give them theatre on a mobile app? It’s the best way to ensure that they experience theatre and it will also encourage them to go to a theatre and watch a live performance.

Joy Sengupta from the play Mera Kuch Saaman

Theatre is one of the finest specimens of performing arts. Performing art is experienced live and is experienced by several people at any one given time or venue. But a particular performance cannot reach everywhere. That is the limitation of theatre as opposed to cinema, which can be showcased in multiple mediums, multiple places at the same time. With the union of Tata Sky and Zee Theatre, you marry rich content with distribution might, you liberate that constraint of theatre and then what happens is that different people in different venues around the world, different cultures around the world can watch their favourite play. Tata Sky Theatre and Zee Theatre come in where they serve the cause of theatre, entertainment, content and of bridging the gap between geographies and witnessing the magic of theatre.

Ira Dubey from the play 30 Days of September

Tata Sky Theatre along with Zee Theatre are doing something marvellous. Nobody in India has done this before. I think televising theatre is the thing to do to ensure Theatre can reach to people across the country. They are giving a very realistic theatre experience, which is shot cinematically and told cinematically, so I can watch this on my phone, laptop or on my television screens.