City theatre veterans get a rousing reception in London

Hyderabadi culture and heritage took centre stage much to the awe of London’s cultureatti. The Indian High Commission in UK that houses Nehru Centre at London's prime Audley Street saw a beeline of Bentleys and Ferraris with British theatre lovers as well as Indian expats turning up in a full house to watch the silver jubilee show of popular love legend, now an international classic on stage, 'Quli: Dilon ka Shahzaada'.

Day two had the European premiere of Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation's new play 'Spaces'. The majestic Golconda Fort chambers and a plush Hyderabadi haveli were recreated on two consecutive evenings that left the audience mesmerised. The veteran troupe from the city with Rashmi Seth, Vijay Prasad, Noor Baig and Padmashri Mohammad Ali Baig held the audience spellbound with their performances.

This is Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation's fourth overseas tour in a year after Canada, USA and Turkey. 'Spaces', based on Noor Baig's short story of the same name, highlights the conflict of the changing values of global society.

Talking about her experience of consistently performing for overseas audiences, veteran actress Rashmi Seth says, "To get such an overwhelming response overseas from a very cultivated audience is gratifying and it speaks of our director's vision.”

Vijay Prasad, another veteran actor of the Foundation feels, "This is my seventh overseas tour with the troupe and each time I felt the response to our shows growing multi folds". Young playwright-actress Noor Baig whose third play in a row gets an international staging, credits her husband and co-writer for this rare accolade.

"It's a privilege and an honour to be directed by Mohammad Ali Baig not just because he is my husband, but because he makes his actors so very comfortable while getting under the skin of the character in such a meticulous way".

Baig, whose third retrospective is held overseas making him the only Asian dramatist to be accorded this feat, says, "It's fulfilling as it not just takes Hyderabadi and Telangana culture overseas but showcases the city's veteran and young talent abroad. It's eating to be able to do so for the local talent".

'Spaces' returns home next week to feature in prime Indian theatre festivals from Delhi's Habitat Centre Festival, Mumbai's NCPA Festival, Goa Literary and Arts Festival to Rangashankara in Bengaluru.