The College English Theatre Festival (CETF) 2024, organised by the Mysore English Theatre Forum (METF), was held at Rama Govinda Rangamandira in Ramakrishnanagar here from Sept. 27 to 29. Veteran theatre doyenne Rameshwari Verma had sponsored the event in memory of her late husband Prof. Balagopalan Verma.

Founding-Members of METF and the Principals of the participating colleges were on the stage during the inauguration.

A.K. Monappa introduced METF & CETF, emphasising its significance in promoting theatre among college students. Books and plants were presented by Shashidhar Dongre and Dr. Nima Manjrekar as mementos. Students who performed in the festival were recognised with certificates of participation.

Anuradha Nandakumar welcomed. Dr. Manohar rendered the invocation. The event was compered and coordinated by Seemanthini B. Sharma.

Inaugural play

The inaugural play of the Fest, ‘A Sunny Morning’ was staged by Sarada Vilas Degree College students under Prof. Sabeena’s direction.

Despite the challenge of performing an English play with students from non-English backgrounds, the production was impressive. The set depicted a serene park, where two elderly characters, once lovers, meet by chance, rekindle memories, but choose to part without revealing their identities.

The script blended humour, longing and hope, with standout performances by Himalay Nag and Malasa in the lead roles.

The music score by Sagar and technical support by Sharath enhanced the atmosphere.

Sept. 28

‘The Solemn Retreat’ by students of St. Philomena’s College, directed by Suhan Poovaiah, Reena Joyce and Nidhi Gummadi, was a play set in our times, describing the life’s drudgery of materialistic demands versus human elements related to love, care etc.

The play began with an office setting, wherein the pressures of the office environment was demonstrated by Kate failing to meet the deadlines. Frustration, inefficiency resulted in a whirlpool of problems but for a relationship that Kate had with George was a lifeline. However, it was frustrating that it was directionless,  till they observe others. 

It was a great effort to put on stage life’s complexity by the students of St. Philomena’s.

The play emphasised the need to look beyond for that solace that all of us are searching  for.

The stage setting was well-done. They need to pay attention to acoustic needs of a play, in order to make the desired impression.

The participation certificates were awarded by Dr. Madhuri Kulkarni and Prof. Prasad of METF

The students of ‘Slate by Cresta’ delivered a remarkable performance of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’ under the able direction of C.N. Pallavi. The subtle nuances of the play were well-captured, allowing the timeless themes of love, identity and transformation to shine through.

One of the highlights was the exceptional costume design, which added depth and vibrancy to the production, enhancing both character portrayal and the overall visual aesthetic. The casting was precise with several actors demonstrating a natural talent for conveying the diverse moods of the play, seamlessly shifting between wit, melancholy and joy.

It was a commendable effort by the students to bring this Shakespearean classic to life on stage, doing justice to the complexity and charm of the Bard’s work.

The participation certificates and mementoes were presented by Dr. Shashikala, Meenu Brouwer Lalwani and  Kitty Mandanna of METF.

Sept. 29

The play ‘Oliver Wants More’ was presented by Sapient College. This adaptation of ‘Oliver Twist,’ the famous novel by Charles Dickens, was skilfully put together as a 45-minute play.

The most important events of the story were presented in short scenes, to give a very concise and engrossing account of the story. Oliver escapes from the workhouse, where he is punished for asking for an extra bowl of gruel, but lands in a group of criminals led by Fagin. They train him to be a pickpocket, a job he does not like to do at all. Two of the female gang members take pity on him and finally help him find a good home.

Directed by Mohammed Umar and coordinated by Dr. Shalini and Sheldon, it was a very crisp and entertaining production. The costumes were appropriate and the sets minimal. The coordinated change of sets between the many little scenes was very impressive. The music added greatly to the performance.

Special mention needs to be made of the energy and involvement that all the actors put into the show, especially the boys who played Oliver and Fagin.

For many of the students, it was their first time on stage… a highly commendable effort!

‘The Bear’ was staged by MMK&SDM Mahila Mahavidyalaya. This Anton Chekov’s play is a comedic farce in which Elena Popova, a grieving widow, is hounded by a brash landowner, Grigory Smirnov, wanting to get back the money that Elena’s late husband owed him. He wants it back immediately, and when she asks for two days’ time, he refuses to leave her house. The play ends with him falling in love with her!

Directed by Ujwala S. Shetty and coordinated by Vani and R. Brunda, it was a well-executed 40-minute play. The single set, the sitting room of Elena, was meticulously arranged, with much thought given to detail, from sofa to carpet to crockery.

Very impressive was the artistically made bust of Elena’s husband, as well as the door to the sitting room through which all the entries and exits took place.

The Western classical music pieces enhanced the high society atmosphere in Elena’s home. All the actors played their roles very well, although a little more clarity in speech would have been desirable. Kudos to the all-girls team!

The college has participated in all editions of the Fest, and the improvement in performances from year to year is remarkable.