Raëll Padamsee's ACE Productions celebrates WOMEN’S DAY with Lushin
Dubey in “UNTITLED” directed by Arvind Gaur, premiering on Saturday,
13th at 7pm and Sunday 14th March 2010 at 6.30 pm at NCPA, Experimental
Nariman Point.
"Untitled " A solo performance by Lushin Dubey ,Script, design &
directed by Arvind GaurThe Untitled Solo play (Hindi/English) is based
on Vijay Dan Detha'sstory and Dario Fo's short play “Medea’.
Music by Dr. Sangeeta Gaur
Premier Show on- Saturday 13th March, 2010
At: NCPA, Experimental, Nariman Point at 7:00 PM
Show on - Sunday 14th March, 2010
At: NCPA, Experimental, Nariman Point at 6.30 PM
Director’s Note
Untitled SOLO is basically a "fusion" experimental venture. This fusion
is incorporated in each element of the design from language of
performance, set and music to acting with puppets my attempt was to
make a journey to discover a new language for solo performance. As a
director, the challenge to maintain the socio -political relevance of
the theme while exploring new presentation style has been an ever
stimulating process for me. The script is pendulous swing between the
two stories (one Indian & one western) and touches upon pertinent
aspects, giving voice to the woman's case! Should a woman hit back? And
why not? What does it appear? Is it justified?
The production is a combination of English and Hindi, and Lushin’ s
co-actors are puppets, herself playing different roles to project
different characters. Lushin not only plays characters physically but
at the same time delves under the skin to look at their psyche, using
her voice, gait, body movements, masks, puppets, different scarves and
music etc. The result is a true to life characterization of a lecherous
king (husband), his wife, maid sweeper, a young girl in her teens,
media & her old maid and many more.
-Arvind Gaur, Director
About the play
The foundation for the script is based on Vijayadan Detha’s story
“Nyari Nyari Maryada” and Dario Fo’s short play “Medea”. “Nyari Nyari
Maryada” the story by Vijayadan Detha, is also one where women surprise
the men.Men who relentlessly treat women as “Kottputli’s”.Dario Fo
reinterpret Euripides’s “Medea”. “Medea is one of the most horrific and
powerful Greek tragedies, a play of dark revenge and slaughter and is
dominated by the voice of “Medea”, the foreign princess who aided
Jason, her husband, in the past, and whom he now spurns for younger
women. She retaliates by murdering her own children…And therefore, in a
sense “Killing” him and herself.
“ Be a good wife and a good mother and you will have space to live in
my house," says Medea's husband, a character from Greek mythological,
who kills her own children to take revenge on her husband, who had
married a much younger girl. "Respect him and love him, and he will let
you live in his house," said the wise old nurse. Medea's crisis was,
she had to make a choice, if she wanted to remain a proud woman or
become a wise woman, by sealing her lips, and let everything be, as it
had been.
A parallel tale from Rajasthan, written by Vijaydan Detha, narrates a
tale of a king's court, where a mehatrani (sweeper woman) comes, asking
for justice, because her twelve year old daughter had been raped by the
pundit of the court, who was, in fact, her father. The Raja, the Diwan
and even the court jester silence their women by telling them that man
need to have change of taste. One day, it is the Rani who calls the
court to declare, she will get justice for the sweeper woman's
daughter. She declares to the court that even she had changed her taste
And the play dwelt on precisely this query -- what is women's maryada.
with violence against women, cheating and child abuse .
About actor Lushin Dubey
Lushin Dubey did her Masters in Science in Childhood and Special
Education in the US (after a Masters in History from Delhi, India) and
was then deeply involved in teaching mentally challenged kids. In 1986
she set up Kids world with her cousin Bubbles Sabharwal. "Untitled"
solo directed & scripted by Arvind Gaur, traveled to the US, UK and
Edinburgh Fringe Festival.’ Untitled' makes its third trip to the U.S.
last year along with 'Bitter Chocolate' directed & scripted by Arvind
Gaur . 'Untitled' has already completed more than 200 shows.10 shows in
Scotland. In the U.S. some of the cities have been Boston, Chicago,
Rochester, New York, Dallas, Houston, Washington D.C., and Palo Alto
San Francisco. It has also been staged at the Smithsonian Institute and
at Harvard. Lushin has acted in several films and serials. Her first
one being 'Perfect Husband' which debuts at the Cannes Festival .Lushin
is married with two daughters, Ilina and Tara. Her husband, Dr .Pradeep
Dubey, Leading Professor in Applied Mathematics at Stony brook and
Adjunct Professor at Yale, has always supported her creative
Endeavour’s. She divides her time between the US and India and looks
forward to being involved in cultural interaction between the two
countries, especially via the medium of theatre."Work is defined by
age. The older you get, the more you question. I find myself asking
questions I would newer have asked ten years ago. This quest has led me
into plays like `The Life of Gautama Buddha`, 'Untitled Solo 'and most
recently, 'Bitter Chocolate' ( both directed by Arvind Gaur). It has
been a self-perpetuating process, as one play has given birth to the
other “- Lushin Dubey
About director
Theater icon - working from last 15 years in theater with social and
Political issues as Subject for his plays. Started theater group '
ASMITA' in 1993 which now actively playing various plays in India and
abroad. He has directed more than 60 stage plays over two decades that
have been staged at Edinburgh Theatre festival in the UK and at
Chicago, Washington, Boston, and San Francisco, Ohio in the USA,
France, Armenia, Russia and UAE. His play Madhavi solo by Rashi Bunny
received special award for best play in experimentation with tradition
at international Solo festival, Armenia.
Arvind Gaur, resident Director of Asmita Theatre, Delhi is also an
actor trainer, social activist, street theatre worker and story teller.
Gaur was the recipient of a research fellowship awarded by the Ministry
of Human Resource Development (India) (1997-98). Arvind Gaur has
conducted many theatre workshops and performed in various Colleges,
Institutions, Universities and Schools in India and abroad such as
Stanford, Harvard University, Stony Brook University, Smithsonian,
Nehru Centre (London), IIM lucknow, JNU, IILM, IIT, AIIMS. He was also
the guest faculty of Delhi University for Theatre in education program
for three years. Arvind Gaur has conducted many theatre workshops for
children in schools and slums as well as Street Theatre performances on
different socio-political issues.
Director Arvind Gaur collaborated with various Theatre artists
specially in exploring a new language for Solo performances which
include - "Untitled Solo" by Lushin Dubey, "Madhavi" by Rashi Bunny,
"4.84 Psychosis " by Ruth Sheard, "Women in Black" by Bubbles
Sabharwal, "Hidden Fires " & "The little Prince " both by Rashi Bunny,
“Gandhari” by Aishveryaa Nidhi (Sydney), Story of Tiger by Jaimini and
"Bitter Chocolate " a new solo by Lushin Dubey. Pinki Virani’s "Bitter
Chocolate” a new solo by Lushin Dubey directed by Arvind gaur was also
performed at Harvard (USA) & at Nehru Centre, London.
With Rashi Bunny , young actress trained in Theatre design at
University of Alabama at Birmingham and Rutgers University, New Jersey,
Arvind Gaur has directed four solo plays-Bhishma Sahani's "Madhavi ",
Manjula Padmanabhan's 'Hidden Fires’, The little Prince and 'Walking
through the Rainbow'.“ Gandhari” solo performance by Aishveryaa Nidhi
was directed & performed at NIDA theatre, Sydney. Recently with British
actress Ruth Sheard, he has directed two solo plays- Sarah Kane’s “4.84
Psychosis” and Dario Fo- Franca Rama’ s “A woman alone ”.Bhishma
Sahni's Madhavi by Rashi Bunny received special award for best play in
experimentation with tradition at International Solo Theatre Festival,
Armenia. "Madhavi" was invited at International Theatre Festival,
Russia and recently at International Theatre festival, France.
_____________________________________
Produced by Raell Padamsee
A Theatre World & Raell Padamsee’s ACE Productions
Contact- Jinal
(9833257757)
( For Ace Productions Pvt .Ltd.)
Tel: 22842845 - 8
Fax: 22833777
Dubey in “UNTITLED” directed by Arvind Gaur, premiering on Saturday,
13th at 7pm and Sunday 14th March 2010 at 6.30 pm at NCPA, Experimental
Nariman Point.
"Untitled " A solo performance by Lushin Dubey ,Script, design &
directed by Arvind GaurThe Untitled Solo play (Hindi/English) is based
on Vijay Dan Detha'sstory and Dario Fo's short play “Medea’.
Music by Dr. Sangeeta Gaur
Premier Show on- Saturday 13th March, 2010
At: NCPA, Experimental, Nariman Point at 7:00 PM
Show on - Sunday 14th March, 2010
At: NCPA, Experimental, Nariman Point at 6.30 PM
Director’s Note
Untitled SOLO is basically a "fusion" experimental venture. This fusion
is incorporated in each element of the design from language of
performance, set and music to acting with puppets my attempt was to
make a journey to discover a new language for solo performance. As a
director, the challenge to maintain the socio -political relevance of
the theme while exploring new presentation style has been an ever
stimulating process for me. The script is pendulous swing between the
two stories (one Indian & one western) and touches upon pertinent
aspects, giving voice to the woman's case! Should a woman hit back? And
why not? What does it appear? Is it justified?
The production is a combination of English and Hindi, and Lushin’ s
co-actors are puppets, herself playing different roles to project
different characters. Lushin not only plays characters physically but
at the same time delves under the skin to look at their psyche, using
her voice, gait, body movements, masks, puppets, different scarves and
music etc. The result is a true to life characterization of a lecherous
king (husband), his wife, maid sweeper, a young girl in her teens,
media & her old maid and many more.
-Arvind Gaur, Director
About the play
The foundation for the script is based on Vijayadan Detha’s story
“Nyari Nyari Maryada” and Dario Fo’s short play “Medea”. “Nyari Nyari
Maryada” the story by Vijayadan Detha, is also one where women surprise
the men.Men who relentlessly treat women as “Kottputli’s”.Dario Fo
reinterpret Euripides’s “Medea”. “Medea is one of the most horrific and
powerful Greek tragedies, a play of dark revenge and slaughter and is
dominated by the voice of “Medea”, the foreign princess who aided
Jason, her husband, in the past, and whom he now spurns for younger
women. She retaliates by murdering her own children…And therefore, in a
sense “Killing” him and herself.
“ Be a good wife and a good mother and you will have space to live in
my house," says Medea's husband, a character from Greek mythological,
who kills her own children to take revenge on her husband, who had
married a much younger girl. "Respect him and love him, and he will let
you live in his house," said the wise old nurse. Medea's crisis was,
she had to make a choice, if she wanted to remain a proud woman or
become a wise woman, by sealing her lips, and let everything be, as it
had been.
A parallel tale from Rajasthan, written by Vijaydan Detha, narrates a
tale of a king's court, where a mehatrani (sweeper woman) comes, asking
for justice, because her twelve year old daughter had been raped by the
pundit of the court, who was, in fact, her father. The Raja, the Diwan
and even the court jester silence their women by telling them that man
need to have change of taste. One day, it is the Rani who calls the
court to declare, she will get justice for the sweeper woman's
daughter. She declares to the court that even she had changed her taste
And the play dwelt on precisely this query -- what is women's maryada.
with violence against women, cheating and child abuse .
About actor Lushin Dubey
Lushin Dubey did her Masters in Science in Childhood and Special
Education in the US (after a Masters in History from Delhi, India) and
was then deeply involved in teaching mentally challenged kids. In 1986
she set up Kids world with her cousin Bubbles Sabharwal. "Untitled"
solo directed & scripted by Arvind Gaur, traveled to the US, UK and
Edinburgh Fringe Festival.’ Untitled' makes its third trip to the U.S.
last year along with 'Bitter Chocolate' directed & scripted by Arvind
Gaur . 'Untitled' has already completed more than 200 shows.10 shows in
Scotland. In the U.S. some of the cities have been Boston, Chicago,
Rochester, New York, Dallas, Houston, Washington D.C., and Palo Alto
San Francisco. It has also been staged at the Smithsonian Institute and
at Harvard. Lushin has acted in several films and serials. Her first
one being 'Perfect Husband' which debuts at the Cannes Festival .Lushin
is married with two daughters, Ilina and Tara. Her husband, Dr .Pradeep
Dubey, Leading Professor in Applied Mathematics at Stony brook and
Adjunct Professor at Yale, has always supported her creative
Endeavour’s. She divides her time between the US and India and looks
forward to being involved in cultural interaction between the two
countries, especially via the medium of theatre."Work is defined by
age. The older you get, the more you question. I find myself asking
questions I would newer have asked ten years ago. This quest has led me
into plays like `The Life of Gautama Buddha`, 'Untitled Solo 'and most
recently, 'Bitter Chocolate' ( both directed by Arvind Gaur). It has
been a self-perpetuating process, as one play has given birth to the
other “- Lushin Dubey
About director
Theater icon - working from last 15 years in theater with social and
Political issues as Subject for his plays. Started theater group '
ASMITA' in 1993 which now actively playing various plays in India and
abroad. He has directed more than 60 stage plays over two decades that
have been staged at Edinburgh Theatre festival in the UK and at
Chicago, Washington, Boston, and San Francisco, Ohio in the USA,
France, Armenia, Russia and UAE. His play Madhavi solo by Rashi Bunny
received special award for best play in experimentation with tradition
at international Solo festival, Armenia.
Arvind Gaur, resident Director of Asmita Theatre, Delhi is also an
actor trainer, social activist, street theatre worker and story teller.
Gaur was the recipient of a research fellowship awarded by the Ministry
of Human Resource Development (India) (1997-98). Arvind Gaur has
conducted many theatre workshops and performed in various Colleges,
Institutions, Universities and Schools in India and abroad such as
Stanford, Harvard University, Stony Brook University, Smithsonian,
Nehru Centre (London), IIM lucknow, JNU, IILM, IIT, AIIMS. He was also
the guest faculty of Delhi University for Theatre in education program
for three years. Arvind Gaur has conducted many theatre workshops for
children in schools and slums as well as Street Theatre performances on
different socio-political issues.
Director Arvind Gaur collaborated with various Theatre artists
specially in exploring a new language for Solo performances which
include - "Untitled Solo" by Lushin Dubey, "Madhavi" by Rashi Bunny,
"4.84 Psychosis " by Ruth Sheard, "Women in Black" by Bubbles
Sabharwal, "Hidden Fires " & "The little Prince " both by Rashi Bunny,
“Gandhari” by Aishveryaa Nidhi (Sydney), Story of Tiger by Jaimini and
"Bitter Chocolate " a new solo by Lushin Dubey. Pinki Virani’s "Bitter
Chocolate” a new solo by Lushin Dubey directed by Arvind gaur was also
performed at Harvard (USA) & at Nehru Centre, London.
With Rashi Bunny , young actress trained in Theatre design at
University of Alabama at Birmingham and Rutgers University, New Jersey,
Arvind Gaur has directed four solo plays-Bhishma Sahani's "Madhavi ",
Manjula Padmanabhan's 'Hidden Fires’, The little Prince and 'Walking
through the Rainbow'.“ Gandhari” solo performance by Aishveryaa Nidhi
was directed & performed at NIDA theatre, Sydney. Recently with British
actress Ruth Sheard, he has directed two solo plays- Sarah Kane’s “4.84
Psychosis” and Dario Fo- Franca Rama’ s “A woman alone ”.Bhishma
Sahni's Madhavi by Rashi Bunny received special award for best play in
experimentation with tradition at International Solo Theatre Festival,
Armenia. "Madhavi" was invited at International Theatre Festival,
Russia and recently at International Theatre festival, France.
_____________________________________
Produced by Raell Padamsee
A Theatre World & Raell Padamsee’s ACE Productions
Contact- Jinal
(9833257757)
( For Ace Productions Pvt .Ltd.)
Tel: 22842845 - 8
Fax: 22833777
