Brecht classic's Indian adaptation to be staged at Aadyam

Indian adaptation of 'Mother Courage and Her Children', one of the most revolutionary works of German playwright Bertolt Brecht, will be staged here later this month as part of theatre festival Aadyam.

The Indian adaptation, directed by Quasar Thakore Padamsee, will be performed at Kamani Auditorium here on September 27-29.

Written as a message against the rise of fascism and nazism in 1939, 'Mother Courage and Her Children' is a satirical play about survival, entrepreneurship and the absurdity of war.

"We're placing the action in an alternate reality in the Indian sub-continent. 'Mother Courage and Her Children' covers many contemporary themes that will resonate with the Indian audience.

"There is something incredibly empowering to watch her find ways to survive her various battles; in a sense, she represents all of us and the various grave situations we tackle," Padamsee said.

Playing the title role of Mother Courage, theatre veteran Arundhati Nag is supported by Abhishek Krishnan, Aseem Hattangady, Asif Ali Beg, Keith Sequeira, Rajat Tiwari among others.

‘Mother Courage and Her Children' is a play about fortitude and hope in the face of adversity. While it is set in a war zone, it is really about how people around the world confront everyday battles and find a way to survive.

"It is an inspirational tale with a canvas of epic proportions but whose story is specific and immediate. 'Mother Courage and Her Children' is also an ode to mothers around the world, who overcome the gravest of obstacles and challenges, to simply play their parts with determination and courage," Divya Bhatia, Aadyam artistic director, said.

The play was first staged at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre in Mumbai on August 19 and is third of five plays to be staged under the Aadyam banner, a theatre initiative of the Aditya Birla Group.

— Press Trust of India