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When Storytelling Takes The Stage
Taking Theatre to the People
Curator
The idea is simple yet powerful: if audiences find it increasingly difficult to come to the theatre, why not take theatre to them? This initiative transforms some of the most successful plays—entertaining and time-tested—into a Storytelling Theatre format. With just two actors (sometimes even one), these plays are stripped of elaborate sets, costumes, and lighting, focusing purely on engaging storytelling and strong performances.
So far, ten plays have been adapted into this two-actor format. These include:
1. Robi’s Garden – A collection of Rabindranath Tagore’s most entertaining and unexpectedly humorous stories.
2. Salaam Molière – A tribute to the French playwright’s sharp wit and satire.
3. Tales of Tenali Rama – Clever and comedic folklore from South India.
4. A Collection of Indian Folk Tales – Stories passed down through generations.
5. Laughing at Death – A unique collection of stories that find humor in mortality.
And many more are in the pipeline!
This format makes theatre more accessible and brings compelling storytelling to wider audiences, outside conventional performance spaces. Expanding on this idea, we have a day long engagement with storytellers, actors and theatre lovers alike!
Part One: The Monologue Circle | 11 AM – 1:15 PM
Coordinated by S. Venkatesh, Karan Singh, and Murtuza Khetty
11:00 AM: Introduction to The Monologue Circle
11:15 AM: Monologue presentations (8 performances, 10 min each)
12:45 PM: Open Mic: Audience Comments & Q&A
1:15 PM: Break
Part Two: Courtyard Theatre | 3:45 PM – 7:30 PM
3:45 PM: Introduction to The Courtyard Theatre
4:00 PM: Excerpts from six plays (12 min each)
1. Creatures Great and Small – Presented by Sujatha Balakrishnan (For children’s audience)
2. Shakespeare by Any Other Name – Presented by Ranjitha Seshadri & Akshata Padaki (Open to all ages)
3. Salaam Molière – Presented by Archana Kariappa & Vijay Sharma (Open to all ages)
4. The Court Jester – Presented by Anuja Singh & Kiran Lakhani (Open to all ages)
5. The Bottom Line – Presented by Sweta Daga & Akshara KPV (Open to all ages)
6. The Magic Drum – Presented by Naveen Tater & Murtuza Khetty (Open to all ages)
5:30 PM: Break
6:00 PM: Full Courtyard Play: Robi’s Garden – Performed by Minti Jain & Vijay Padaki (Open to all ages)
7:00 PM: Open Mic: Audience Comments & Q&A
7:30 PM: Closing
This event is a part of the two day Storytelling Theatre Festival curated by Vijay Padaki. The link to the other event is here.
In collaboration with:
Curator
Vijay Padaki
Vijay Padaki has worn many caps all his life. One of them is in management, with a special interest in organization and institutional development. He was part of the founding faculty of IIM Bangalore and a tenured Professor there. The other cap has been in the theatre, being associated with Bangalore Little Theatre (BLT) from its inception in 1960. He is particularly committed to dissemination in the Theatre, which is reflected in his long track record in writing and training. He is an internationally recognised Theatre Educator with over sixty years of experience as an actor, director, designer and administrator. Vijay was responsible for several long term thrusts of BLT. He is currently Trustee Emeritus at BLT.
