A Performance at Bosco Mane

 

On 12 May we had our Second Saturday Playback Theatre performance. Every month on the second Saturday our theatre group – Script Peoples Theatre performs for charity. Sometimes it’s an old age home or a home for juvenile delinquents or an orphanage or a home for poor children.

This time we were performing at Bosco Mane – a centre which rehabilitates street children. We had earlier performed at this institution a couple of years ago. As a Playbacker I was performing after a really long time. Five of us, AjmalP.P, Sunil.V, Umesh.P.N, Sibu Vaz and me were part of the team. A few other team members couldn’t make it because they were either ill or too busy with something else. Sibu was conducting.  

The performance was at 4 in the evening, and for some reason all of us were feeling very lethargic before the performance. I have never felt this way and was a little concerned that we would put up a sub-standard show. But I needn’t have worried as the events unfolded.

About 50 eager expectant faces comprised our audience. Ranging from age 8 to 15, they were quite a sight. These were veterans of the streets, their classroom until now was the bitter or sweet experiences. But when they looked at us, there was a sense of expectation.

Seeing their faces we suddenly became very alert and alive to the moment. All the lethargy was forgotten. Encouraged by Sibu’s gentle guidance the responses tumbled out. I love watching India beat Bangladesh, I felt happy today when I was playing with my friends, My teacher beat me today and I feel sad.

Then we moved into stories, an eight year old shared his heart-wrenching story of losing his parents and taking to the streets, of traveling hundreds of miles taking on various jobs…before finally landing up here. We jumped into the story with gusto, each actor playing his part. At the end the audience applause lasted for a really long time.

The second story was of a young boy who had a friend who would constantly fight with him. This was always an enjoyable affair for our friend who would roundly thrash him. This story also had it’s desired effect with the children in splits throughout the performance.

The conflicts were very interesting. I don’t want to leave this place because we only play games here. But on the other hand I will have to go to the next boys home where the focus will be on studies. Another conflict was – I am a volunteer with these children and I have a lot of travelling to do. On some days I am tired at the end of the day but I still have to visit these children.

The performance ended with a final fluid when we took a combination of their responses This is entertaining, I also want to act, This is very real, I enjoyed it very much, You must perform again… 

- Rajesh.P.I

~ by theatrecapital on May 22, 2007.