MEDIATHEK

Piya Behrupiya, while carrying forward all the trademark features of popular Shakespeare plays, finds its own niche in this unique adaptation that occupies an inbetween space-between English and regional theatre. With its unique spoken language which is a mongrel version of English, Hindi and Punjabi, the play also places itself in that ‘in between’ space between the rural and the urban, contemporary and folk theatre. The play uses songs and melodies that are part of the oral narrative of rural India from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab as well as includes original compositions by the actors and singers in the group.

With musical interludes and riotous disorder, Shakespeare's Twelfth Night has all the drama; A Shipwreck, Mistaken identity, Cross dressing, Unrequited love, High Passion, Sword fights, and finally happy reunions. This sounded a bit familiar! Yes, it was just like a Bollywood blockbuster. So we approached the play accordingly with a mix of folk and light classical music, exaggerated humour, slapstick comedy and fantastic characterisations. This Hindi version of the play by The Company Theatre opened to a sensational response.