What characterises Cheriana, The Little Theatre’s studio space today, is rhythm. After a quiet couple of years, back rolls, cartwheels and foot-tapping beats created from loose tyres and metal tools fill the space as the cast and crew inch towards show day. As Thaatha and his minions mime behind curtained walls trying to revive little Gingo’s imagination, The Garage Gang comes alive once again.
The play, that relies heavily on slapstick and physical comedy, will kick off The Little Theatre’s 11th edition of The Little Festival, an international theatre festival for young audiences that returns after a pandemic-led hiatus of two years. The home production will be accompanied by a dance-theatre showcase Hansel & Gretel in Takadin, The Story of the Lake: a shadow puppetry rendition from South Korea, workshops, and a panel discussion spread from July 1 to 8.
The story follows a little girl named Gingo and her relentless pursuit to find her ‘imagination’, with the help of her grandfather and his trusted yet quirky accomplices. It explores human relationships and a child’s potential for imagination. Though the city is familiar with the play, the narrative has taken on a new meaning post the pandemic. Its effect on children has further stretched the play to retrain its lens on the importance of support systems, be it in school or family.
