Gillo Repertory Theatre to host two short plays in Juhu for children

(Left to right) Puja Sarup, Barkha Fatnani and Vaishali Bisht

Without any limit on age, understanding life through art will always be an evergreen process. Extending this to children through live performances, Gillo Repertory Theatre will host two short plays in Hindi at Juhu's Prithvi Theatre this weekend. The titles are Poonachi, based on a children's illustrated book in Tamil by Perumal Murugan about a black baby goat which has been adapted and directed by Puja Sarup, and Baal Mithai, an original Hindi play about a museum of sweets that has been written and directed by Sarup. The performances will be played out by Vaishali Bisht, Puja Sarup, Barkha Fatnani, Purva Pathak, and Shaili Sathyu.

Shaili Sathyu

The performances are open to children between six and 12 years of age, along with their parents, and aim to engage young minds in an artistic experience through live performances and stories that speak about common life experiences. Take, for instance, the adventurous and wonder-filled tale of Poonachi who, upset with her friends, walks off and goes deeper into the magical yet dark forest where she is truly free. Will she stay alone in the forest or go back to a known world? Or Baal Mithai, an odd sweet invented for a museum of sweets.

Will this treat disliked by other sweets have a place in the museum or not? Sathyu shares, "These coming-of-age stories about being away from home and out in the world on your own are universal themes. For instance, Poonachi looks at the goat's view of the world and her view of herself; in this way, the story looks at our own fears and a coming to terms with them. [Showcasing such stories in live performances] adds to children's experiences of life. We take the stories that we enjoy and bring them alive for children."

On: February 10; 5 pm and 7 pm
At: Prithvi House, Juhu.
Entry: Rs 150