Theatrecian, a Calcutta-based theatre group, felt the need to emulate the idea of ‘the show must go on’ and embarked on a search for an alternate proscenium, as we stay under lockdown in our homes. Staying as true to the format as possible and leveraging Zoom multi-caller video platform, they have conceptualised a three-day theatre festival that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your living room. All you need is a screen in front of you. Recording and telecasting on social platforms lack the punch of a live show where the audience involvement and engagement is more, feels Tathagata Chowdhury, founder of Theatrecian and ergo, the exploration of a live format.

Beginning on April 10, for three days at 8pm, #OnlineTheatreFestival 2020 can be found on Zoom, upon pre-registration on their provided number. It is a fundraiser project where all collections of Rs 200 will be donated to Yeh Mera India, which is working to provide food to the needy. Their distribution points are places like railway stations and bus stops, patients at government hospitals and people without ration cards.

The three-day festival is divided into three forms of theatre. Day One has a live show of an adaptation of Jean Paul Sartre’s No Exit. Reimagined and directed by Tathagata as There is no Exit, it is a tale of two men who died because of this deadly disease and managed to spread it to others as well, and they meet in hell. Performed by Zahid Hussain, Aaron Targain, Ishani Priyadarshini and Anushka Dasgupta, it is a tale of their journey in hell through immense grief and their inability to leave. On Day Two, he would take you through the process of scriptwriting, when viewed through the lens of an actor. The Actor’s Scriptwriting Workshop stresses on the need for an “actor to think like a writer” and would be helpful for any aspiring performers.

April 12 will have Zahid Hussain and Palash Chaturvedi of Theatrician and East India Dastangos perform Chayug ki Katha. All artistes will be performing from their homes with someone monitoring the visibility of screens for a particular scene. “While the audience will be expected to put themselves on mute, the video will be on for those performing in a given scene. We have even experimented with lighting, which will be created with mobile phone torches,” said Tathagata.

What: #OnlineTheatreFestival by Theatrician

When: April 10 to 12, 8pm

Where: Hosted on Zoom app

Contact: 9830241007/ 9163158211 to register