Passion Play

In fact,after the successful run of Maro Piyu…,which premiered at the UK’s Globe Theatre last year,Shanbag and Parekh Gohil were discussing their possible next collaboration when the former suggested an adaptation of Carmen. “This opera has been very close to my heart ever since I watched it for the first time in the ’80s. Over the decades,I have watched several versions of it,including hip hop and flamenco,” says Shanbag. Years ago,he had even co-written a script based on the opera which was never staged.

Once they zeroed in on the 19th century opera,the challenge was to contemporise it. “Though we were not following the opera’s traditional setting,I was clear that music has to be an organic part of the play. After much brainstorming,we decided to move the story to a night club,” says Shanbag,who has directed some of the most successful plays with live music,including Stories in a Song,Maro Piyu… and S*x. M*rality and Cens*rship.

The upcoming version,written by Sapan Saran,is a musical set in a nightclub and it shows Chahat and poet Jayam,played by Faisal Rashid,share a passionate relationship in Act 1. Love and their art face rapid deterioration in the next act as jealousy and rage invade their carefree lives.

Since most of the action takes place in a nightclub,Electronic Dance Music (EDM) replaces operatic music in the play. “EDM has a certain texture and volume. We are trying to fuse operatic music into it. It would be interesting to see what kind of feel it will create at Tata Theatre auditorium,” he says. The play,produced in collaboration with National Centre for Performing Centre (NCPA),premieres on October 24 and has shows scheduled till October 27.

Every musical element of the play — DJ’s music,video and Chahat’s music — has been specially created. Suhas Ahuja,who composed Chahat’s songs,has given them a grungy and indie feel. Rohan Hastak has created the DJ’s tracks. The play has roped in some interesting collaborators. Poet Arundhati Subramaniam has written Chahat’s songs and actor Asif Ali Baig a ballad. “Though we have kept the core of Carmen intact,the story has added layers and the characters fresher dimensions,” Saran says.

Club Desire has already received invitations from different Indian cities to perform. It will be travelling to Bangalore,Delhi and Lucknow. Shanbag has more tours in the offing as Maro Piyu… is going to have a second run in the UK next year.