In which I discover that there *is* theatre here

Yesterday, the father of one of the students here rang up asking if anyone wanted to go see a performance at the National Drama School that evening. Nisa and I were volunteered as willing theatre viewers. I can’t say I minded (I was actually going to look into getting tickets anyways). When have I ever turned down a free show?

I was warned in advance that this gentleman is a little ‘strange’. That’s all I was given. I didn’t think too much of it since his son is one of my favourite students. I figured he was just a stage-dad. Which he is. And *so* much more. The man loves to talk. Constantly. To the point where you can’t get a word in edgewise. Conversation tidbits on the way to the theatre:

Mr. Narayan: (to me) Over there are the Parliament Buildings.

Me: Yes. I...

Mr. Narayan: (to son, who’s 10 by the way) Udit, do you know the name of the man who was hanged for trying to blow up the Parliament buildings a little while back?

Udit: No.

Me: (Silence. Honestly, what do you say?)

Mr. Narayan: (rambles on a bit about the guy who tried to blow up the Parliament) We don’t shoot people in India anymore. We hang them.

Me: Jeh.

Anyways, get to the theatre, wait outside for a bit before going in. The space the show was in must be considered their studio space because there wasn’t that much seating (*maybe* a 60 person capacity), just three long benches. Sitting in the middle *seemed* like a good idea until I gathered that there was no intermission, just two hours of sitting on a bench which isn’t easy.

For such a small house, the performance space is pretty big, which is always great for the performers. Minimal set. Just a platform flanked by some screens at the back.

All of the costumes were shiny and wild and filled with colour and full make-up.

Okay, to be honest, I'm not going to review this show...... I just don't know what to say. It was nice though. Culturally different, so I don't know *how* to review it. Not Kathakali, but it's as close as I'm probably going to get.