Three Plays Currently Staged in Kathmandu Theaters

Kathmandu. The number of audience members watching plays has increased impressively in recent years. Established film artists are also being attracted to plays as they get to know the direct reactions of the audience. Currently, three plays are being staged in Kathmandu's theaters - 'Lucifer Rising', 'Mahabharat', and 'Achheta'. These plays present political and ideological debates, modern presentations of mythological stories, and tales of social discrimination from remote areas.

'Lucifer Rising' is being staged at a theater in Thapagaon, 'Mahabharat' at Kantipur Theater in Garrydhara, and 'Achheta' at Shilpi Theater in Battisputali.

The play 'Lucifer Rising', whose staging was stopped some time ago due to controversy, has returned to the audience again from Tuesday. Its staging has resumed after a new agreement between the production company Majuwa Bagar Janakala Manch and A Theatre Nepal.

This play, which was staged from Jestha 1st, was suddenly stopped on Jestha 11th. The play, which was stopped by its writer and director Sahalesh citing threats, has been restarted after discussions between A Theatre and the production company Majuwa Bagar Janakala Manch. The producer company Majuwa Bagar Janakala Manch has started staging the play after dismissing writer and director Sahalesh with accusations of 'spreading rumors against the government' and 'insulting the entire theater community'.

'Lucifer Rising' depicts the Gen Z movement and the subsequent situation. Set against the backdrop of a chaotic night on Bhadra 24th, this play shows an environment where the system has collapsed, the city is burning, and people are living in fear. In such a difficult situation, the play's theme is the story of a young woman struggling to protect her dreams and future within a small hut in a slum settlement.

The play features performances by Tara, Anoj Pandey, Buddhiram Chaudhary, Milan Bahadur Khadka, Subratraj Silwal, and Aidan Batri. This play will be regularly staged until Jestha 30th.

Another play, 'Mahabharat', presents political and social rebellion as well as mythological philosophy. The play, which has been staged since the 14th, is a modern theatrical presentation of a classic mythological story by Kantipur Film Academy.

Senior actor Ramesh Budhathoki, famous comedian Manoj Gajurel, Suvarna Thapa, Sandeep Shrestha, Pratik Chaudhary, and Suprajya Sharma have acted in the play. The play, written by Kuldeep Kunal and translated by Prakash Dahal, is being highly praised on social media by those who watch it. Ramesh Puri is the producer of the play.

'Achheta', being staged at Shilpi Theater in Battisputali, presents the soil of the remote corner of Karnali and its tragic reality. The play, presented by Kala Ghar and written and directed by Govinda Sunar, exposes the deeply rooted caste system, religious oppression, superstition, and extreme indifference of the state in Nepali society.

The main character of the play is Dal Kami, who is Dalit by caste and a craftsman by profession. He also works as a Dhami. He carves a beautiful idol of a god for the temple with his own hands, but tragically, he himself is not allowed to enter that temple. Dal's life, lived in search of art and faith, is struck by disaster when his newborn baby falls seriously ill. There is no good medical facility in the remote village, nor any presence of the state. 'Achheta' is not just the pain of a character or a family, but the collective voice of an entire community that has been bearing the burden of exclusion and inequality for years.

The play, which will be staged until Jestha 25th, features performances by Jhakken BC, Sushmita Kunwar, Subash Khatri, Keshav Rokaya, Dipesh Khatri, Danraj Neupane, Junmaya Pariyar, Goma Khatri, Aarti Budha, Apsara KC, Jamuna Shahi, Kalpana Mall, and Shivani Pariyar.

Audience numbers are increasing

A significant number of audience members can be seen in all three plays. Prakash Puri, CEO of Kantipur Theater, says that the notion that there are no audiences for theater is being shattered. He has developed a culture of online booking, changing the previous trend of crowds at the ticket counter just before the play started.

'Previously, the trend was to come directly to the theater and buy tickets around 5 PM before the play started,' says Puri, 'but the situation has changed somewhat now. By Wednesday, most of the tickets for the Saturday shows are already booked online.' According to him, audiences are increasing for plays as efforts are being made to connect Nepali films and literature with theater. Puri states that the 'Mahabharat' play has been packed with audiences since its initial days.

The audience presence in the play being staged at Shilpi Theater is also satisfactory and improving compared to the past. According to Kumar Ale of Shilpi Theater, audiences have increased in theaters now. A mix of new and old audiences can be found. 'Our hall has a total seating capacity of 160, and currently, an average of more than 100 audience members are regularly attending the shows,' says Ale. Ale believes that new audiences are coming to watch plays, and the presence of regular audiences has created a pleasant atmosphere in the theater.

On the other hand, Prakash Dahal, who manages the play 'Lucifer Rising', says that the audience is moderate. 'There are audiences in the theater,' says Dahal, 'The audience has increased compared to before. However, an environment where one can easily make a living just by showing plays or running a theater has not yet been created.'

'Lahuri Bhaisi' now at Mandala

The play 'Lahuri Bhaisi' is now going to be staged at Mandala Theater in Thapagaon. This play, prepared focusing on the life, struggles, dreams, and social realities of Nepali rural society, is scheduled to be staged from the 22nd Friday. The play is based on a famous story by renowned storyteller Ramesh Bikal, adapted for the stage by Sanyog Guragain and directed by Anup Neupane.

The play, a joint production of AJ Bob Studio and Crook Entertainment, presents the social, economic, and class discrimination challenges faced by the families of Lukhure, Ghaiti, and Pode living in a rural setting when they dream of improving their lives by buying a buffalo. The play will be staged until Ashar 7th.