Editor

India Foundation for the Arts and Seagull Foundation for the Arts
Present New Performance Festival 17 to 21 November, 2010 Kolkata


Unusual themes, unconventional performances, innovative ideas, scripts spanning different genres and languages in the performing arts – IFA's New Performance festival has it all!
In an effort to bring these unconventional performances to a wider audience and create a dialogue around new modes of performance/theatre, IFA initiated the New Performance festival, first organized in Bangalore in 2008, and now we bring to you the second New Performance Festival n Kolkata.

Anecdotes and Allegories by Anurupa Roy
Thursday, November 18, 7 pm
Gyan Manch
Anecdotes and Allegories is based on a novel by Rumer Godden and traces the lives of the first three Mughal emperors, as told by Humayun’s daughter Gulbadan, the only female historian of the Mughal period, in her chronicle Humayun-nama. The performance incorporates shadow puppetry, live acting, a toy/miniature theatre with cut-outs, photographs, music and projection screens. This production is unprecedented in giving dramatic expression to a non-fictional historical narrative through the use of shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, live acting and other visual media. Miniature puppets, sets, live feed, shadows and paper theatre adds on to the beauty of her performance.

Macbeth by Jyothish M G

Friday, November 19, 7 pm
G D Birla Sabhagar
Macbeth is an adaptation and reconstruction of the original play in Malayalam. Using mobile scenic designs, choreography, multimedia images, ritual and a chorus, the production explores the psychological complexities of the central characters and attempt to lay bare the emotions and thoughts that work at the level of the subconscious. The performance explores the character of Macbeth while re-envisioning the monologues of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo with the use of innovative scenic designs, choreography, multimedia images and a chorus.

S*x, M*rality and Cens*rship by Sunil Shanbag
Saturday, November 20, 7 pm
G D Birla Sabhagar
S*x, M*rality and Cens*orship is a musical commentary on the restraining censorship practices that rocked Maharashtrian theatre during the 1970s and specifically looks at the censorship battles fought over Vijay Tendulkar’s Sakharam Binder and the audience and critical responses to it. This production has received much critical acclaim, including Best Supporting Actor Award at the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards for cast member Geetanjali Kulkarni.

Phou-Oibi by M. Mangangsana

Sunday, November 21, 7 pm
G D Birla Sabhagar
Phou-Oibi is based on the traditional Meitei ballad. The performance explores the musicality of the string instrument pena, and draws from the Manipuri performing forms of Moirang Sai, Moirang Parva, Sankirtana, Wari Liba and Lai Haraoba. This production is based on the mythical story of Phou-Oibi, literally meaning the lady of the paddy. This legend is peculiar to the rice-growing culture of Manipur and the story relates how Phou-Oibi’s influence reaches across the state and how she brings about good harvests.