Digital content will engage, but live performances will endure: Theatre director Ajai Kesavan

Ask him about the future of plays and theatre director Ajai Kesavan says that in a world increasingly dominated by technology, live performances will soon incorporate virtual elements. “There will be digital content to engage the audience, both pre and post-performance,” he shares, and adds, “but, the essence of theatre, that direct connection between actors and the audience, will always have a place.” In a conversation with us, the theatre director, who is set to bring a fresh look to Neil Simon’s comedy The Odd Couple to the Bengaluru stage, reflects on the evolving landscape of theatre, the power of live performance, and more. Excerpts:
‘PEOPLE CRAVE REAL CONNECTIONS, AND THEATRE OFFERS JUST THAT’
Streaming and digital media have undoubtedly shifted the entertainment landscape, but I think theatre offers something unique that cannot be replicated on screen. Theatre is immersive and intimate, an experience that streaming or anything on screen can never fully achieve. I believe people crave real live connections and I think that’s the opportunity for theatre to. The joy of theatre is that each performance is unique, and I believe people will always be drawn to that energy.
‘BENGALURU’S DIVERSE AND COSMOPOLITAN AUDIENCE HAS A KNOWN APPRECIATION FOR THEATRE’
Bengaluru is such a diverse and cosmopolitan city. Audiences here connect deeply with theatre and the universality of its themes. Take The Odd Couple, for example. Of course, the story is set in 1960s New York, but the idea of navigating friendships and boundaries is, I believe, universal in a city like Bengaluru with people coming from different backgrounds living and working together. The humour of clashing personalities and finding common ground will resonate with the crowd. There’s a warmth in the story that I think audiences will appreciate. They will also be able to relate to the idea of finding harmony in difference.
‘IT’S A CHALLENGE TO ADAPT A CLASSIC PLAY WITH ICONIC CHARACTERS’
Directing a classic comes with the unique challenge of balancing audience expectations with a fresh perspective. While the story, humor, and characters are familiar, there’s a pressure to stay true to the original vision. However, adaptations also offer an opportunity to explore playful and thoughtful nuances that resonate with contemporary audiences. For me, balancing respect for the original text with a fresh perspective is about understanding the core of each character and the dynamics they share. With this play, while we’ve stayed true to the script, I’ve encouraged the actors to bring their unique energies to each scene, subtle changes that make interactions feel both nostalgic and modern. And hopefully this way, we’re not reinventing the play, but rather enriching it with today’s sensibilities.

(The Odd Couple will be staged on November 16 and 17 at 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm at Jagriti Theatre, Whitefield.)