Bookmark this theatre festival in Hyderabad for some of the finest plays from around the world

Ram KatKatha a play at Manam Theatre Festival.

Nothing compares to the magic of live theatre. While we love movies, television and OTT, there’s nothing like seeing a story being performed in real time. In an age where so many of us struggle to be present in the moment theatre enables us to sink our bodies and minds into the moment from the second those lights go out. Theatre aficionados in Hyderabad are in for a treat as Manam Theatre Festival kicks off on November 24.

Spanning four weekends, the festival will see performances by a home troupe on Friday and two plays by a visiting troupe on Saturday and Sunday. “A city thrives on its culture and conversations around a multitude of topics. The idea behind Manam Theatre Festival is to encourage audiences to witness diversity in theatre and spark conversations. While all the plays have varied social and cultural contexts, some relate to mythology, others to history, our world and the surreal. The intent is to present something for everyone,” says Harika Vedula, festival curator and director, Manam Theatre Festival.

What to expect

The play Shakkar Ke Paanch Daane by Manav Kaul.

Award-winning puppeteer Anurupa Roy’s latest work ‘The Nights’ retells a slew of centuries-old folk tales with a fresh perspective.

The line-up of 11 plays include contemporary acts, experimental productions and new interpretations. While Shakkar Ke Paach Daane by actor Manav Kaul is all about a simpleton from a small town reminiscing about the complex web of relationships and social barriers, Adishakti’s play Bhoomi turns the lens on sexual assault and power politics at the workplace. Yuki Ellias directed The Far Post is another delightful watch where two enemy soldiers, killed in battle embark on a journey into the afterlife. The play is sprinkled with mask work, contemporary dance, puppetry and original music by well-known Sikkimese band Sofiyum, the first of its kind Lepcha folk fusion band based in Gangtok. Award-winning puppeteer Anurupa Roy’s latest work The Nights retells a slew of centuries-old folk tales with a fresh perspective. Unlike most puppet theatres, this play does not hide the puppeteer. Manam Theatre Festival will see performances by imminent theatre personalities like Vinay Kumar (director of Theatre company Adishakti, he also played Devaralan in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan), Nimmy Raphael (recipient of the Shankar Nag award 2022) and Yuki Ellias (recipient of best actor at META 2017).

'Afghanistan is not Funny' is a 75 minutes docu-play of Henry Naylor's visit to Afghanistan to research a comedy project.

One of the most awaited shows at the festival is Henry Naylor’s Afghanistan in not Funny. This engaging 75 minutes docu-play is a dramatised version of Naylor visit to Afghanistan to research a comedy project. He was accompanied by his photographer friend Sam Maynard whose images adorn the stage screen all through Naylor’s monologue. Amusing and moving, the play is one of the leading award-winners at this year’s international fringe circuit and has won top prizes at the Edinburgh, Hollywood and Adelaide fringes. The festival will be held across four venues - Rangbhoomi Spaces at Gachibowli, NIFT Auditorium at HITECH City, MCR HRD at Jubilee Hills and District 150 at Madhapur.

Ram Kat Katha at Manam Theatre Festival.

More than plays

Apart from the different performances, the festival line-up also includes a series of workshops on performance in comedy, writing a dynamic plot as well as the technical components of theatre such as light design, sound design and multimedia. Henry Naylor will be conducting a workshop on writing comedy whereas theatre personality Vaishali Bisht will also be hosting theatre workshops for children aged 6 to 12 years.

Note: Manam Theatre Festival will run from November 24 to December 17, across four venues. Tickets available on bookmyshow.com