November in Chennai- the month long recognized as the month of monsoon, festivals and celebration now will have a new meaning….it will soon become the month of madness, laughter and maniacal energy – all having repeat value!!!
Behold! As evam launches the biggest live event of Chennai in nov 2004-
featuring .. 3 of the biggest blockbusters seen on Chennai stage:
Python Hyssssteria by evam, The Odd Couple by evam and ART by evam (evam’s debut production) evam is an year old! Started in 2003 as an entertainment company, a dream to wed passion of theatre with the realities of earning a livelihood - it has had an exciting journey all through in Chennai. evam’s journey from ART to Python Hyssssteria, Love Letters and Death to the record setting shows of “The Odd Couple” –it has been nothing less than exciting and we thank one and all for their support in making it possible! In our first year we have traversed the genres of comedy, serious drama, love story, thriller and now to celebrate our existence what better to offer than a festival- a complete month full of plays …plays… and plays from evam’s backyard! IT s a record of sorts- the first theatre fest by a Chennai theatre group in a long time- so don’t miss the celebrations!
Its going to be 3 weekends, 11 shows and celebration all around as evam performs these plays. The three plays have been chosen on the basis of the popularity they received the last time they were performed- its back on popular demand! For audiences who missed them earlier- don’t miss them again and for those who saw it earlier- there are new twists to savour!
The festival November calendar:
4, 5, 6, 7 Nov 2004 (Python Hyssssteria), 7.30 pm at Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium The group showed their control over timing, the crucial factor in comedy….. The bottom line was that they were funny! - The Hindu, Jan 2004, Python Hyssssteria by evam
13, 14 Nov 2004 (the Odd Couple), 7.30 pm at Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium
‘For the audience it was a good two hours of clean, intelligent entertainment and a great way to unload the tensions of the day.’ – The Hindu, Sep 2004, The Odd Couple by evam
18, 19, 20 Nov 2004 (Art), 7.30 pm at Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium and 21st Nov,2.30 pm & 7.30 pm at Alliance Francaise ‘It was a worthwhile evening that raised hopes for entertainment in Chennai!’ – The Hindu, Sep 2003, ART by evam
Art by evam - a serious comedy
“The production was well rehearsed and well enacted. Character delineation was well worked out and communicated with great sensitivity. It was exciting to see a cast so consciously supportive of each other. The action was well paced and pitched right. The meticulously choreographed moves balanced the stage at all times. It was a worthwhile evening that raised hopes for entertainment in Chennai.“
``Quality entertainment- that’s evam’s word..it is to evam’s credit that they manage to hold on to their own, bringing out the inherent tension between the friends that has been snapping at each other.``
Python Hyssssteria by evam
The Hindu says:
The group showed their control over timing, the crucial factor in comedy. They also showed their training in body control and physical language. Their sense of restraint was evident. In comedy it is so easy to go overboard and degenerate into slapstick, and they did not. The bottom line was that they were funny!
The costumes were irreverent, delightful and added to the points that "Python Hysss...teria" was making. And again, Evam has kept its promise. The show promises to be very professionally put together, well rehearsed and with every detail worked out. They seem to have become more comfortable with their Chennai audience. There is a definite sign of connection and rapport.
“Love Letters by evam” created a record of the first play India to be performed simultaneously at two different venues at the same time. by shows on 14,15,16,17,18 Jan 2004 at Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium.
Performances from both the casts were more or less on par and very good. They were meticulously rehearsed and both pairs got so totally and emotionally involved in the lives of Andy and Melissa that by the time they reached Andy's last letter after Melissa's death, there were copiously streaming eyes both on stage and in the audience.
One must hand it to the team for taking their audience to that point without the use of melodrama. Music formed a strong element and the choice of songs helped position the action into particular time periods. The young group delivers on schedule, gives of its best and makes a special effort to reach out beyond the usual theatre rasikas to the general public for their audience. What draws the crowds perhaps is the fact that Evam will not embark on a journey of exploring theatre and it genres at the cost of providing quality wholesome entertainment to the city.
Death by Evam
"DEATH" IS an early, funny but not much talked about play from the agnostic religio-philosopher Woody Allen. The play is about how we have almost no control over what is happening around us and how it is pointless to look for meaning. In their characteristic style of adaptation, evam retained the script but gave it new thrusts and twists primarily by varying the speed and tempo. In particular they experimented with replaying critical moments - providing different takes on the same thing.
Once again they gave their audience, who faithfully filled each show to capacity, total entertainment. Sunil as Kleinman was excellent and struck a relationship with the audience right at the beginning. He was on stage the entire hour and a half, maintaining pace and energy and then some more at the very end when Karthik, as the killer, joined him. They were some of the best moments of the play. It was promising to see a stage crowded with newcomers, most of whom were first timers. It is to evam's credit that they are serious about training, attracting and absorbing the uninitiated into their fraternity. An impressive flight of steps from the balcony had the scantily clad Spiro, Woody Allen's motif of Godman, and the priestesses coming down into the audience from above. The accompanying music both in choice and in quality was impressive.
The lighting design was aesthetically very appealing. The execution, however, could have been smoother. However, the success of EVAM and "Death" was that despite these problems not once did the play loose the attention of the audience. Even if you chose not to ponder over the subtext you came away having had a good laugh, your mind stimulated.
The crowds cheered wildly as Sunil exhorted them with, "You do not know what will happen tomorrow. Remember, life is not worth it - Death is!"
