Anjan Deb's physical acting workshop was crucial: Shantilal

The first show of

Ashoknagar

’s Natyaanan’s non-proscenium ventures,

Khancha

and

Ami O Amra

garnered appreciation from the audience. “It was a packed theatre. We have been trying to do theatre on alternative spaces and on our first show at

Niranjan Sadan

, we could only accommodate 100 people. And all of them appreciated our work,” said Shantilal Mukherjee, who directed Ami O Amra that involves a lot of physical acting.

Veteran theatre artist

Anjan Deb

conducted workshops for the actors. “Our actors were not used to the non-proscenium style of acting. Also, in Ami O Amra, we used a lot of non-verbal acting. There are portions in which the narrator reads out the script and performers enact on stage. Anjanda helped us a lot. From physical acting to mime— he taught our members for days,” added Shantilal.

This is the second time after Janani that Shantilal is directing a play for Ashoknagar’s Natyaanan. “Apart from these two, I have directed one more play for West Bengal Motion Picture Artist Forum back in 2014. I am really excited about these two productions this year. I hope we will be able to start a new trend,” said Shantilal.