NEW PLAY INSPIRED BY HER PA

Times of India, Delhi Times. Monday 29, November 2010

Theatre veteran Lushin Dubey's new play is about a city right after a bomb blast
Suruchi Sharma | TNN

I used to observe my father a lot, and it is through observing him that the idea for this play came about," starts Lushin Dubey, when we speak to her about her upcoming play 'Ji Saab Ji'. ''Actually these words - "Ji Saab Ji" - are generally spoken by staff or attendants, and my father had two attendants, one Hindu and one Muslim. Since he was bed-ridden during his last days, he used to teach both his attendants. While doing that, he gave them lessons in humanism, and that is what I've picked up for my play," shares Lushin.

"Ji Saab Ji" is a play that talks about the insensitive times we live in. It describes a city immediately after a bomb blast. "In a time when we're living with fear and the repercussions of terrorism and Violence, my play is meant to shed light on the set patterns of systems and our reactions. I want people to define, explore and discuss issues through my plays," says Lushin.

But is the theatre audience mature enough to understand this message, or does she think that these sensibilities are missing when it comes to the audience for this genre?

 "Theatre has and is certainly evolving and the three words - define, explore and discuss are becoming the keywords of new age theatre in India. The staging of foreign plays has decreased considerably, which is a very good sign, as playwrights at home are willing to explore new subjects. More meaningful plays are being staged and the audience has been appreciative and supportive of experimental theatre," Lushin says. "When the playwright writes a play putting in 49% of what s/he thinks and 51 % of what the audience thinks, people will come and watch theatre," she adds. The play will be staged in Delhi on December 1 and 2 at the Sri Ram Center. The timings for the same are 8pm and 7.30 pm respectively. The tickets for the play are available at the Shri Ram Center and Teksons bookshops, from 12am to 6pm everyday, and online on bookmyshow.com.

 What about those who depend on jugaad for tickets and passes?

"It is very sad that that happens, but I think for people to become more serious, all of us directors, corporates and the media - will have to come together. Directors have to put in their 'never to say die' attitude, corporates should back us as sponsors, and the media should promote us. It is only then that the theatre will get its 'rightful place," Lushin explains. For her, she says, doing theatre is like doing a PhD in acting.