5th September 2024, New Delhi: The Delhi Theatre Festival (DTF), organized by Alchemist LIVE, is set to make its triumphant return for a highly anticipated fifth season this September. Taking place over three days from the 20th to the 22nd, the festival promises audiences an extraordinary theatrical experience featuring original live performances, celebrated casts, and timeless stories.
This year’s festival will be hosted at four prominent venues across Delhi NCR: the renowned Siri Fort Auditorium, Kamani Auditorium, OP Jindal Auditorium, and the elegant Orana Convention in Gurugram. Such a diverse lineup of locations aims to provide an accessible and immersive experience for all theatre enthusiasts in the region.
Continuing its strong commitment to supporting arts and culture, American Express returns as the title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year. Sanjay Khanna, CEO and Country Manager of American Express Banking Corp., India, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting its dedication to bringing unique and unforgettable cultural experiences to audiences. “We are thrilled to sponsor the Delhi Theatre Festival for the fifth consecutive year,” he remarked. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to exclusive cultural offerings for our Card Members and provides a unique opportunity to engage with the vibrant world of theatre.”
The fifth season features an impressive roster of iconic performers, including Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Shabana Azmi, Lillete Dubey, and Vinay Pathak, all set to grace the DTF stage. Prabhu Tony, COO and co-founder of Alchemist LIVE, shared his excitement for the festival, stating, “As we embark on our incredible fifth season, we are determined to raise the bar even higher and explore new formats in theatre.”
This year’s festival lineup includes several captivating plays:
– *Old World* by Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah (September 20 at 8 PM; September 21 at 1 PM & 6 PM at Siri Fort; September 22 at 7 PM at Orana Convention)
– *Salaam Noni Appa* featuring Lillete Dubey and others (September 21 at Kamani Auditorium at 3:30 PM & 7 PM)
– *Anything but Love* with Mandira Bedi and Samir Soni (September 20 at Kamani Auditorium at 8 PM)
– *Broken Images* led by Shabana Azmi (September 21 at Orana Convention at 7 PM)
– *One on One Dhamaal* featuring a talented ensemble cast (September 21 at OP Jindal Auditorium at 7 PM)
– *Jaya – A Rock Musical of the Mahabharata* (September 22 at Siri Fort at 4:30 PM & 8 PM)
– *What’s Done is Done* with Vinay Pathak and Ranvir Shorey (September 22 at OP Jindal Auditorium at 7 PM)
Shabana Azmi expressed her excitement about returning to perform at the festival: “Performing for a Delhi audience is always invigorating. I am filled with mixed emotions as I return to present ‘Broken Images’.” Similarly, Lillete Dubey shared her nostalgic connection to the festival and noted her excitement about presenting two unique productions, highlighting the immense cultural significance of the event.
The Delhi Theatre Festival has become a cornerstone of Indian theatre since its inception, showcasing a rich array of performances and fostering a vibrant community of theatre lovers. As DTF prepares to cast its spell this September, it promises to celebrate the art of live performance and connect audiences with the magic of theatre.
