Much time has passed since the early years when directors used to do Ibsen in the 60's and 70's. Now not only has the theatre movement in India matured, but distinctive styles in the work of a second and third generation of theatre directors after Independence, is much more evolved and identifiable. These directors who began their professional work in the later 1960’s and early 1970’,s stylistically developed with their own personal signatures, and identities.
The relevance of Ibsen in the Indian context has also changed. His contribution to Indian theatre from the 1930’s to the mid-1960’s had undoubtedly been seminal, but the challenge of doing an Ibsen in the 21st century is different. Ibsen's writing now has a different resonance in the contemporary scenario of Indian theatre, in a country that celebrates an emerging democracy, grappling with a new social and political
order. Re-looking at Ibsen will be more interesting now from a socio-economic and political viewpoint.
One of the highlights of the Delhi Ibsen Festival 2009, is the decision to present the work of 4 young directors from diverse backgrounds, with well-defined individual preferences and a predominantly modern approach. The festival also celebrates plays from many Asian countries, which will present an Asian Inter-cultural perspective, rather than looking at Ibsen from a Western standpoint.
The first festival listing can be viewed here.
The dates of the Delhi Ibsen Festival 2009 are fixed between December 3 – 14, 2009, and the festival will conclude with a seminar on inter-cultural theatre. For tickets, see information on the right hand side of the page.
In the Delhi Ibsen Festival 2009, there are a total of 10 production; five productions by Indian directors, and 5 invited foreign productions.
The festival details are:
December 3 & 4, 2009 - Opening of the Festival.
"Metropolis" based on "Rosmersholm", "Hedda Gabler" and "A Doll's House" by Amal Allana at Kamani
Auditorium.
December 4 & 5, 2009
"Some Stage Directions for Henrik Ibsen's John Gabriel Borkman" from Delhi, directed by Zuleikha Chaudhari. Meghdoot III Exhibition Hall at Rabindra Bhavan, in collaboration with the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The staging is environmental)
December 5 & 6, 2009
"Lady from the Sea" from Trivandrum directed by Jyothish M.G. at Kamani Auditorium
December 6 & 7, 2009
"The Master Builder" from Kolkata, directed by Santanu Bose at LTG
December 7 & 8, 2009
"The Communicator" from Bangladesh, directed by Kamaluddin Nilu at Kamani Auditorium
December 8 & 9, 2009
“Nora’s Doors" based on "A Doll’s house”, directed by Ms. Nora Amin from Egypt, at LTG
December 9 & 10, 2009
"Drowning" based on "Little Eyolf" from the Netherlands by the OT Theatre, directed by Ms. Mirjam Koen, at Kamani.
December 10 & 11, 2009
"The Devil's Ship" based on"Lady from the Sea" from Iran, directed by Atila Pessyani, at LTG.
December 11 & 12, 2009
"Hedda Gabler" from China by the Hangzhou Yue Opera Company, directed by Mr. Zhan Min, in Operatic Style, at Kamani.
December 12 & 13, 2009
"Pillars of the Community" from Mumbai, directed by Neeraj Kabi at LTG.
December 13 & 14, 2009
Seminar on inter-culturalism. Keynote speaker Prof. Erika Fischer-Lichte. The seminar will be at Anandgram, Gitorni New Delhi.