Lucknow theatre buzzes over a chilling plot

Gumrah, written by Vinay Kumar and directed by Privendra Kumar Singh, was staged at Kalamandapam Auditorium, Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, by Bhartendu Natya Academy. The auditorium saw a strong turnout, with theatre enthusiasts, students and senior members of Lucknow’s cultural circle filling the seats well before the performance began.The play opened with a police officer on routine highway patrol who came across a deadly accident. A young man and a young woman had lost their lives. During the investigation, he learned that the man was the son of a powerful politician. Soon, the accident report was changed. The woman’s presence was erased, and she was declared unclaimed.“We approached the play with honesty and restraint. The idea was to let the discomfort speak for itself instead of forcing emotion.” said Privendra.As the play concluded, people stood up to appreciate the actors for their thrilling performance on the stage.— Manas Mishra