Theatre connoisseurs could not have asked for more this season as actors Naseeruddin Shah and wife Ratna Pathak Shah come together for Antigone, an adaptation of Sophocles? tragic play of the same title written by Jean Anouilh, and being brought to the Mumbai stage by playwright and director Satyadev Dubey.
The play revolves around the character of Antigone portrayed by Ratna Pathak Shah, who plays a 16-year-old. Antigone defies her uncle Creon (Shah) when he issues an edict that her brother Polynices must be left to rot. While Antigone tries to bury her dead brother, she gets arrested.
Ratna Pathak Shah explains that being a Greek tragedy does not provide anything more than just a setting. ?The play is based on a universal timeless conflict. It is a tragedy with beauty and grace. Tragedy is restful and there is something very kingly about it,? she says. She feels that the play is relevant in today?s scenario. ?The younger generation comes up with some really valid questions these days,? adds Shah. She mentions that there is a fresh insight that the youth bring to our lives. Ours is a youthful country according to the demographics and there is a constant urge among the youth to move forward. Whether to hear out the opinions that the younger generation has to offer or to turn a blind eye towards it, remains a dilemma. And the play targets a dilemma similar to this situation.?
As for Dubey, he points out that the actor couple are like family. ?We have worked together in over 12 productions and it is an absolute delight working with them,? he says, even as he fondly mentions that it was through one of his plays that the two actors first met.
Ratna Pathak Shah recollects her incredible association with Dubey as she reminisces about Sambhog se Sanyaas tak, her first play. ?Dubeyji has had an extremely important influence in my life. He has literally seen me grow up from a novice to the actor I am today. He has introduced me to great writers like Shaw, Karnad and Dharmveer Bharati and has helped me evolve into a good human being.? Pathak admits that there were differences of opinion with Dubey during the making of this Greek tragedy which she believes can lead to temper tantrums. However, she adds, ?This method of working helps everyone in the team to bond and grow and that is the very purpose of theatre.?
As director, Dubey feels good plays also depend on having a good team. ?Theatre is all about good teamwork. There must be active inputs from every actor. Interaction helps in a director?s growth. I encourage arguments which in turn lead to counter arguments.?
A mentor to famous actors like Amol Palekar, Makarand Deshpande and the Shahs, Dubey feels that it is very important for a director to keep working. ?There should be a continuous possibility of looking for new things and a scope for improvement. As a director, it is imperative to know when to withdraw. So that one does not intrude upon his own creativity,? adds Dubey, who is busy working on the script for his film titled Ram Naam Satya Hai as this Motley?s production goes live.