Mimes & musicals hit a high note

CHENNAI: Of the 19 new shows that opened last autumn at Broadway, only four survived till New Year. With producers pulling out, theatres closing shop and body counts decreasing, this might be the decade to witness the close of a colourful Broadway era. But there is at least a consolation - Broadway went through a flourishing Golden Age, between 1919 and 1946, and continues to be a main tourist attraction. In India, we are lagging in miles when it comes to musicals and alternate forms of theatre. And even before we can think of a golden age, we are tackling predicaments. Jeffery Vardon, founder of the Hot Shoe Dance Company, claims that only after the success of one of his earliest musical productions, Jesus Christ Super Star (2004), did the trend of musicals in the city even begin. “People saw the success of my work and realised that they could stage musicals, too,” he says and adds that in the past five years alone, there has been a tremendous surge in terms of audience reception and magnitude of the productions.Sure, there has been a surge, more and more people are watching musicals, but will Chennai ever become Broadway? Jeffrey laughs before he can even begin answering, “We don’t have the infrastructure here to stage such shows,” he says, adding that though the aim of all of their musicals is to reach the authenticity of the original without any compromises, it becomes an expensive affair. “Hydraulic systems, wheels, props, they are all too expensive. And what is the point of making a big set if I can’t bring it in through the small entrances of halls here?” he reasons. But all hope is not lost, Jeffery says. “I can’t hold my show for an entire month like they do at Broadway, but I can say for sure that I can do it for an entire week and still make it a success.”  Speaking of alternate forms of theatre, mime has been doing its rounds in the city. It is easy on the mind, does not require too much attention, but makes one laugh anyway. “Compared to two or three years ago, the audience for mime has definitely increased. This difference is very clear, and has happened even without too much marketing,” informs Vatsan Natarajan, director of popular mime comedy, Looters Looty. More people are watching mimes and musicals because they are able to relate with what they’re watching on stage, explains Vatsan. “People say that they can watch it again and still be entertained,” he says.