The Mysore English Theatre Forum (METF) is a group of theatre enthusiasts who have been promoting English theatre activities in city.

METF conducted an English Theatre Festival for the first time earlier this year, to encourage college students to explore the world of theatre in English.

The second edition of the Festival — Prof. Balagopala Varma Memorial College English Theatre Festival —  will be held on Oct.7 and 8 at Ramagovinda Rangamandira in Ramakrishnanagar, Mysuru.

Four plays will be staged by students from various colleges during the festival which will be inaugurated at 5.30 pm tomorrow by Prof. Rameshwari Varma, well-known theatre person of the city, who has also acted in Kannada films and TV serials.

Following the inauguration, Night Glory, a team of students from various colleges, will perform  the play ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ at 7 pm.

This play is based on Gaston Leroux’s novel, as well as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage musical. It tells the story of a mysterious man who lives beneath the Paris Opera House and is madly in love with a young ballet dancer.

The managers of the opera house think he is a phantom. It is the tale of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House. Mesmerised by the talents and beauty of the young soprano Christine, the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. The young dancer believes he is the Angel of Music, sent by her dead father to watch over her. When Christine’s childhood sweetheart comes back into her life, the Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide. When the phantom begins to kill and cause damage to the opera house, the dancer’s heroic suitor sets out to stop the phantom once and for all. The team presents part three of the play.

Three plays on Oct.8

At 3 pm, Cresta School of Management, Science and Arts will stage ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Directed by J. Sherlin Janet and Gul S. Jain, the play follows the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner. They must overcome the titular sins of pride and prejudice in order to fall in love and marry.

At 5 pm, De Paul College will stage ‘Othello: A Modern Rendition’, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play by Charles and Mary Lamb. It is the tragedy of a Venetian Army General and his wife Desdemona, the beautiful daughter of the Senator Brabantio. Their marriage crumbles and their lives are ruined as Othello falls prey to the all-consuming vengeance of the ensign, Iago, who uses people to fulfil his wicked plan. Jealously blinds Othello from reality and makes him stoop to a mere pawn in the hands of the Master villain. Due to its enduring themes of passion, jealousy and race, Othello is still topical and popular and is widely performed, with numerous adaptations.

At 7 pm, the last play of the festival ‘Macbeth’, will be staged by MMK&SDM Mahila Mahavidyalaya.

This timeless masterpiece by William Shakespeare is a dark and haunting tale of Macbeth, a Scottish General, who is enslaved by his passion when three witches prophesy that he will one day become the king of Scotland.  Blinded by the lust for power, he succumbs to the evil wishes of Lady Macbeth, stabs Duncan in his sleep and seizes the throne. However, his guilt and paranoia consume him and he becomes a tyrant, leading to his downfall.

The students will enact the Murder Scene, which portrays Lady Macbeth as a strong complex multidimensional character, who challenges societal norms, becomes the driving force behind Macbeth’s actions and shows herself to be a powerful and intelligent woman who is not afraid to seize power.

For details contact Mob: 99640-38916 or 98864-57987.