The first glance at the poster of the much-awaited all-women anthology Shensemble evokes the essence of a vibrant magazine cover. Seven radiant women, each adorned in a spectrum of luminously hued saris, beam towards the lens. In a subsequent poster, an even larger assembly of women—the ensemble of cast and crew—promises a groundbreaking project.
Shensemble’s transformative journey commences with the aspiration of becoming more than a mere platform for theatrical expression; it aims to herald a celebratory revolution for women in the performing arts. The initiative, masterfully helmed by Poochu’s Productions in a synergistic alliance with Chennai Art Theatre, finds its driving force in curator Dakshana Rajaram. Explaining the project’s inventive origins, she recounts the decision to enlist six creatives, ensuring the inclusion of exclusively female writers and directors, setting the stage for a commemoratory venture.
The initiative has unified diverse artistic talents, including Vinithra Menon, Shalini Vijayakumar, Bhavya Balantrapu, Meera Sitaraman, Sukanya Umesh, and Namritha Kalai Kovan. These visionaries have not only inscribed the scripts but are also at the helm, orchestrating their respective plays. The Shensemble team is also graced by an all-encompassing female technical team, shattering the glass ceiling in traditionally male-dominated fields such as lighting, sound design, and the myriad of backstage responsibilities crucial to bringing the anthology to fruition.
Shensemble, which is set to unfold across six acts, each lasting a succinct yet impactful 12 minutes, curates a palette of narratives that promise to captivate and challenge audiences. The directive for the directors was laced with imaginative constraints: each play would feature no more than two actors, and to ensure diversity, no actor would perform in multiple acts. The outcome is a tapestry of performances, 12 actors in total, each illustrating a unique storytelling gem, orchestrated by some of the most respected women writers in the theatrical community.
The plays delve into a myriad of themes and experiential formats. One is poised to embrace puppetry, creating a marionette-inspired narrative, while another presents the enchanting dynamic of live stage music. Bhavya Balantrapu, directing “Puppet Mistress,” shares that the piece is her homage to the riveting ‘We both reached for the gun’ sequence from the famed musical “Chicago”. She finds joy in the shared camaraderie of the project, with a palpable sense of excitement for her contemporaries to witness each other’s creative endeavours.
The project harbours more than just talent; it’s embedded with a spirit of solidarity and mutual inspiration. The atmosphere at the photoshoot for play posters, styled by Madhulika Kapilavayi of Margazhi Designs, was testament to the alluring, collective energy that embraced them. Bhavya reflects poignantly on the sanctuary theatre provides, the warm embrace of acceptance that the arts offer which has rendered her journey in theatre both satisfying and exceptional.
The curtains are set to rise for Shensemble at @Medai, TTK Road, Alwarpet. There will be matinee and evening performances at 4 pm and 7 pm on January 6. For theatre enthusiasts and patrons of the arts, tickets are available at the modest price of ₹500, with bookings open on allevents.in. This novel theatrical experience stands as a beacon, not only showcasing women’s contributions to the dramatic arts but also creating a legacy of empowerment and artistic brilliance in Chennai’s cultural landscape.
