Pune: Sans stage, theatre shows court viewers through the digital route

PUNE: With curtains unlikely to go up on theatres soon, artistes and directors associated with the medium in the city have taken to the digital platform to showcase their creativity.
From premiering shows online to live streaming interactive talk shows as well as producing web series and content for Marathi television serials, they are doing everything to keep the creative juices flowing.
“We are enjoying the digital medium, creating material for YouTube and experimenting with the camera and scripts,” said Suraj Parasnis of Theatron Entertainment. Wide Wings Media, an art and theatre production company, showcased some plays on Facebook Live. “We invited artistes to perform parts of their play live. This was followed by an interaction with the audience,” said Kushal Khot, who heads the production house.” Some of the shows we live-streamed during the lockdown were Aamhi Duniyeche Raje, Mahfil, Kavi Jato Tenvha and Maunraag,” he said. Apart from showcasing plays, many production houses are also involved in interactive shows. “Under the banner of our company Indian Magic Eye, we have been conducting the show Alpaviram,” said Hrishikesh Deshpande, executive director.
Some theatre groups have also started producing web series. “One of our web series on air is Newsroom,” said Parasnis. Others, such as the Indian Magic Eye are producing Marathi content for television serials. Theatre groups said that they are currently enjoying the digital medium. “But the drawback of online activities is that they do not fetch you money,” said Khot.