It’s an exciting time as the spotlight is now shining in its full glory with artists on stage. The NCPA theatre division creates, presents and hosts world-class theatre that entertains, challenges and inspires. And the stage is abuzz with a fantastic line-up of presentations.

Our goal is to reach the widest and most diverse audience possible, animating our flexible range of spaces with a mix of live and screened events in a variety of languages. Our programming ranges from classic plays to new writing, physical theatre, musicals, live and streamed broadcasts, spoken word, classic cinema, and stand-up comedy, created and performed by the very best local, national and international artists.

Coming up in August:

Hopper – An American Love Story – an NCPA – Seventh Art Productions (UK) Presentation
What: Exhibition Screening Duration: 90 mins (Approx) Where: Godrej Dance Theatre 
When: Wednesday, 2 August-6.30 pm Age Suitability: 6+ Tickets: Bookshop

About the show: Edward Hopper’s work is the most recognisable art in America—popular, praised and mysterious. Countless painters, photographers, filmmakers and musicians have been influenced by his art, but who was he and how did a struggling illustrator create such a bounty of notable work? This new film takes a deep look into Hopper’s art, life and relationships. From his early career as an illustrator to his wife giving up her own promising art career to be his manager amid his critical and commercial acclaim, this film explores the enigmatic personality behind the brush. Combined with expert interviews, diaries and a startling visual reflection of American life, Hopper brings to life one of America’s most influential artists.

Written & directed by Phil Grabsky
Music: Simon Farmer

Short Film Corner   – An NCPA Presentation in collaboration with White Wall Screenings

What: Short Film Screenings   Where: Little Theatre   When: Wednesday, 2 August-6.30 pm Entry: Admission on a first-come-first-served basis.  NCPA Members will get preferential seating till 6.20 pm.  

#1 The Complaint
Hindi film with English subtitles Duration: 10 mins

In fond memory of – Major Uday Singh, Sena Medal, Shaurya Chakra (RIP) Harish Singh, a retired Bank Manager from Allahabad is carrying an emotional scar that makes him sceptic of the Muslim community. But when a Muslim repair engineer comes to fix the old man’s laptop, something happens that proves to him that humanity is beyond hatred. The Army Officer displayed in this film is a real-life martyr who laid his life for the nation. Directed by Mrinal Bahukhandi

#2 Miniaturist of Junagadh

Hindi and Urdu film with English subtitles Duration: 30 mins

1947. Junagadh. Kishorial plans to buy off the ancestral home of Husyn Naqqash, a blind miniaturist, who is forced to migrate with his family to Pakistan, for a pittance. When Kishorilal learns Husyn is in possession of a rare miniature collection, he schemes to get hold of it along with the house. But there is a secret that Husyn’s family is holding back. Not only from Kishorilal…. But also, from Husyn. Screenplay and Direction by Kaushal Oza

#3 Vaishnav Jan Toh…
Hindi film with English subtitles Duration: 11 mins

Set in 1944, against the backdrop of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to a village, Vaishnav Jan Toh… is the story of a mother who faces a crisis as her faith in Gandhi’s message is put to test. Winner of the National Award for the Best Debut Director of a Short Film, Vaishnav Jan Toh won 3 other International Best Film Awards, apart from multiple film festival screenings. Screenplay and Direction by Kaushal Oza 

Kalgitura
An NCPA Production
What: Marathi/Musical Play Language: Marathi with English subtitles Venue: Experimental Theatre
When: Sunday, 6th August – 6.00 pm Duration: 2 hrs Age Suitability: 6+ Tickets: BookMyShow
About the play: In a village called Parsul in Maharashtra, a unique folk tradition called kalgitura was nurtured for hundreds of years. Intertwining stories from the Puranas and oral traditions, kalgitura artistes would sing to the beats of the tambourine during festivals, fairs, religious ceremonies and to ease the pain and grief to commemorate the death of a villager with the family of the departed soul. Around 1990, this almost 700-year-old tradition started to fade away. One day, a group of men in the village find threads of the kalgitura tradition and realise that they must reinstate this unique art form.  The play depicts the story of the revival of kalgitura. In the April 2023 issue of ON Stage, its writer Datta Patil said, “Kalgitura is a folk art comprising of lavanis written in local dialects and is made up of two words ‘kalgi’ (shakti) and ‘tura’ (Shiva). As with several folk-art forms, kalgitura brings pertinent issues to the fore and addresses complex emotions via the medium of entertainment.” kalgitura is the finalist winner of Darpan, a new initiative by the NCPA that shines the spotlight on fresh voices in Marathi drama theatre. Writer: Datta Patil Director: Sachin Shinde  
Cast: Hemant Mahajan, Vikram Nannaware, Nilesh Suryvanshi, Ram Wani, Arun Ingle, Rushikesh Shelar, Rajendra Ugale, Krushna Shirsath, Praveen Jadhav, Shubham Landge, Kiran Raobacche, Vaibhavi Chavan,Samrudhi Gangurde, Kavita Desai, Rushikesh Patil  
Music: Rushikesh Shelar   Background Music: Rohit Sarode  Lights: Pranav Sapkale  Lights Assistant: Bhushan Choudhari Set: Chetan Barve Set Fabricator: Machhindra Shinde, Artisan Proprietor  
Producer for the NCPA: Rajeshri Shinde

Comedy For Comedy’s Sake – An NCPA Off-Stage Presentation in collaboration with Comedy Ladder
What: Stand-up Comedy
Language:  English/ Hindi Venue: Godrej Dance Theatre
When: Sunday, 6th August – 7.00 pm Age Suitability: 16+
Duration:  90 mins Tickets: BookMyShow
About the show: With 6 full house shows, we are back with another stellar lineup! Comedy for comedy’s sake is produced by Comedy Ladder in association with NCPA. Follow us on Instagram for all show updates @come4come
Performers: Gautam Govindham, Shashi Dhiman, Rupali Tyagi, Prakhar Pramod, Anirban Dasgupta, Abijit Ganguly  Host : Jeeya Sethi  

Fire in the Mountains
The Indian Express Film Club screening in association with National Centre for Performing Arts & Sony Liv.
What: Film
Language: Hindi with English Subtitles
Venue: Godrej Dance Theatre
When:  Tuesday, 8th August  – 6:30 pm 
Duration: 84 mins
Entry: Admission on a first-come-first-served basis. NCPA Members do not have to register and will be given entry on a display of membership cards.
About the film:  Fire in the Mountains is an Indian drama movie about a mother who toils to save money to build a road in a mountainous Himalayan village to take her son to physiotherapy. Yet her husband, who believes that a shamanic ritual is the remedy, stands in her way.
The film screening will be followed by a discussion with Shubhra Gupta, Film Critic, The Indian Express.
Director: Ajitpal Singh Producer: Ajay Rai & Alan McAlex
Cast: Chandan Bisht, Harshita Tiwari, Mayank Singh Jaira, and Sonal Jha

Fleabag
An NCPA-National Theatre Live (London) Presentation
What: Theatre Screening Duration: 100 mins (Approx.)Where: Godrej Dance Theatre 
When:  Wednesday, 9 August – 6:00 pm, 8:30 pm (Added by popular demand) | Friday, 11 August –  6:00 pm
Age Suitability: 15+Tickets: BookMyShow
About the Show: Fleabag is a rip-roaring look at a woman living her sort of life. Fleabag may seem oversexed, emotionally unfiltered and self-obsessed, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. With family and friendships under strain and a guinea pig café struggling to keep afloat, Fleabag suddenly finds that she has nothing to lose.
Director: Vicky Jones Written & performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge 

Reality Check- All that Breathes
An NCPA Presentation in collaboration with Cinema Collective   
What: Documentary Film Screening Language: Hindi Film with English subtitles Duration: 97 minutes 
When: Thursday, 10th August  – 5 pm & 7.30 pm Where: Little Theatre
Entry: Admission on a first-come-first-served basis. NCPA Members will get preferential seating till 6.20 pm. The film screenings will be followed by a post-film discussion. About Reality Check: The Reality check film series are to promote and encourage documentary filmmakers in India, whose work reflects life and culture in the country today in a provocative blend of creativity and integrity.
About All that Breathes: In one of the world’s most populated cities, two brothers — Nadeem and Saud — devote their lives to the quixotic effort of protecting the black kite, a majestic bird of prey essential to the ecosystem of New Delhi that has been falling from the sky at alarming rates. Amid environmental toxicity and social unrest, the ‘kite brothers’ spend day and night caring for the creatures in their makeshift avian basement hospital. Director Shaunak Sen (Cities of Sleep) explores the connection between the kites and the brothers who help them return to the skies, offering a mesmerizing chronicle of inter-species coexistence.

*Oscar Nomination for Best Documentary Feature
Winner World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary Sundance Film Festival
The Golden Eye Award for Best Documentary at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival
A Sideshow & Submarine Deluxe Release in association with HBO Documentary Films
A Rise Films & Kiterabbit Films Production in collaboration with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
Director – Shaunak Sen Producer – Aman Mann, Shaunak Sen, Teddy Leifer
Director of Photography – Ben Bernhard Cinematography- Saumyananda Sahi
Editor: Charlotte Munch Bengstsen  Music: Roger Goula  Sound: Niladri Shekhar Roy
 
Siachen
An NCPA Presentation in collaboration with 72° East Productions 
What: Hindi Play Where:  Experimental TheatreWhen:  Sunday, 27th August – 4.00 pm
Age Suitability: 6+ Tickets: BookMyShow
About the Show:  A survival drama about three Indian soldiers stuck on the Siachen Glacier, the highest, coldest battlefield on earth. After a catastrophic blizzard that washed away everything in sight, they are left with no news from the base. The days that follow test their beliefs and their bonds as they wait in hope for evacuation. Will they survive, and remain sane, before salvation comes – or will “General Glacier” have the final say?  Director: Makarand Deshpande  Writer: Aditya Rawal Translated to Hindi by: Raaghav Dutt
Cast: Zahan Kapoor, Chittransh, Niketan Sharma, Rohit Mehra, Jatin Sarin & Seerat Mast
Set Design: Shaira Kapoor Music: Ajay Jayanthi Sound: Vaibhav Jadhav Costume: Pallavi Patel
Production Manager: Ayaz Ansari Stage Manager: Mohit Solanki Assistant: Rahul Kumar


Thakishi Samvad
An NCPA Presentation What: Play reading in Marathi Duration: 75 mins Language: Marathi Where:  Experimental TheatreWhen:  Sunday, 27th August – 7.00 pm Age Suitability: 6+Tickets: BookMyShow About the show: The centre of the play Thakishi Samvad is 2014. The change of power in 2014 is not the only reference but it also covers the past three decades of events that have radically changed the human mind, body, and culture. e.g., religious polarization in India around 1992 and Corona’s destructive epidemic in 2020-21. The Shaheen Bagh movement in Delhi and the farmers’ movement, all these things can be subsumed under the concept of ‘2014’. Along with this period, nano technology and internet-based technology excess and artificial intelligence etc. so, all these are in the background of the space of the play Thakishi Samvad.   

There are only two characters in the play, an old man in his 80’s and a doll like woman in her 40’s, a virtual image like Alexa. The time of Corona is social distancing. The old man is alone. He is talking to Takki. They are playing games to relieve loneliness. The game may also be online. Both have a virtual role as in many apps on social media. The ‘subject’ they take for communication in the game is like an extension of imagination. But it is not possible to say whether that imagination is real and composed fiction or not. The old man’s past and the role the old man is playing, there is a confusion between how much is fiction and how much is real but the references to history and the present are not imaginary to make the dialogue flourish. But there is a rational objectivity in it. The old man in this play creates another fantasy himself. He does research. A fictional reference to an ancient, hyper-ancient culture adds to this research. This fantasy is underpinned by contemporary political and religious reality. 
Written and presented by Satish Alekar