Circle Theatre Company

Circle Theatre Company is a theatre group in India. The group has its headquarters in Delhi.

Background

A group of students, painters, journalists, doctors and professionals joined together by their common thread of interest and mission-‘Theatre’. Established in 2003, under the leadership of Bapi Bose, one of the most important Directors in the contemporary Indian theatre, Circle Theatre is a professional theatre company which is meant for theatre of strength, courage and substance – ‘theatre of cerebral excellence’.

Circle Theatre has traveled in search of meaningful and creatively enriching theatre. The organization continues the journey with the dual objective of selecting diverse, but interesting, highly acclaimed, socially relevant plays and presenting them with systematic training and high level of production quality.

The USP of Circle theatre Company is the diverse subjects and in-depth research that goes in its production. This approach has established it as a unique organisation within a brief span of time in India. All of its productions have distinguished themselves in terms of their ‘artistic quality’, ‘expression’and ‘message’ (Socrates, Julius Caesar, Ki Aakhree Saat Din, Ekla Cholo Re, Pratham Parth, Parampurush etc.) .

Objective and Vision

Circle Theatre is an independent, non-profit seeking multidisciplinary company. It brings together actors, writers, set-designers, technicians, singers, puppeteers, painter, graphic designers, video graphic artistes, cartoonists, and musicians etc. all of whom comprise its core creative team. For Circle Theatre, practice of theatre is essentially a matter of relevance. It believes that a good production is one that helps raise awareness and self reflection amongst individuals and society as a whole. The group organizes symposiums and workshops on various facets of theatre from time to time, attends and participates in various theatre festivals, aims to contribute to the society its work while providing entertainment. The group does humanitarian work for theatre artistes in distress. In spite of its penetrating appeal to the audience, it has always been difficult to run a theatre organization. However, with their limited resources they have managed to collect 2000 books on theatre, some of which are really rare. These will be useful for a resource centre on theatre with collection of Books, CDs, Photographs, Interviews etc., which they dream to build with assistance from government and other interested agency.

Productions

Parampurush (2008): Design and Direction - Bapi Bose A contemporary introspection of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsadev, the Great spiritual leader of 19th Century India, the embodiment of the harmony of world religions and Swami Vivekananda. The play looks into the man who could transform the mutual hatred to mutual love with the philosophy of Shiv Gyan Me Jeev Seva. Nothing could resist him to preach that Lord Shiva is living in the souls of the every human being. Best Production of Sahitya Kala Parishad; Govt of NCT; Delhi, Participated in International Theatre Festival of National School of Drama - 10th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, 2008 as its venue opening production, Participated in Mohan Rakesh Theatre Festival as its opening production; organized by Sahitya Kala Parishad; Govt of NCT; Delhi, etc.

Julius Caesar Ke Aakhri Saat Din (Revival in 2008): Design and Direction - Bapi Bose A play against Autocracy, War in comparison to the sanctity of Democracy, based on the Great dictator Julius Caesar. It questions about the defense of the country, the society, the culture, the religion, the democracy, the independence and the human rights. But upon establishing in the power the leaders forget the welfare of the people and the society – the human rights are killed first instead. Then what is the way out of such predicament for human society? In the last 2000 years all ‘Caesars’ are busy building their ‘personal property much than anything else. Participated in International Theatre Festival of National School of Drama - 10th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, 2008 etc.

Pratham Parth (2006): Design and Direction - Bapi Bose The production based on the famous play written by Buddhadeb Bosu about the dexterous episode of Mahabharata and a subaltern introspection of Karna, the Great warrior. If Karna’s childhood would have been normal, well nurtured, the story of Mahabharata would have been different. The premise is it’s a case of lost childhood so take care of your little child, don’t push them away. Best Production of Sahitya Kala Parishad; Govt of NCT Delhi, participated in International Theatre Festival of NSD - 9th Bharat Rang Mahotsav; 2007, participated in Best Plays of the Year, 2007 organized by Sahitya Kala Parishad; Govt of NCT; Delhi etc.

Ekla Chalo Re (2004): Design and Direction - Bapi Bose A play on assassination of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and the following incidents of partition in the back drop of Indian independence movement. Now half a century after that eventful moment we are once again at the arc of a dramatic historical moment where the divisive forces are raising their heads all over again. Introspection of those events in this dramatic work acts as a reminder for those who care for the unity of the country and for those who do not care. It talks about the communal harmony and the national integration. Best Production of Sahitya Kala Parishad; Govt of NCT Delhi, participated in International Theatre Festival - 7th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, 2005, participated in Best Plays of the Year, 2005 organized by Sahitya Kala Parishad; Govt of NCT; Delhi etc.

Julius Caesar Ke Aakhri Saat Din (2003): Design and Direction - Bapi Bose (See the Synopsis of 2006 Production) The production was presented on the occasion of 105th Birth Anniversary of Bertolt Brecht and 1st Anniversary of the organization.

Socrates (2002): Design and Direction - Bapi Bose This is a debut production, based on Socrates, the great philosopher. It’s a contemporary assessment of Autocracy, Freedom of Thought, Freedom of Expression and again upholding the sanctity of Democracy, law & judiciary, communal harmony and national integration. It had the honour of having the premier as the Venue Opening production at International Theatre Festival of National School of Drama - 4th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, 2002 etc.

Reference

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2004/11/08/stories/2004110800560200.htm

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/10/06/stories/2006100601610300.htm

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/theatre/article59518.ece

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/05/13/stories/2011051350390300.htm

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/11/10/stories/2006111001250300.htm

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/10/stories/2010091050580300.htm