30 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Monday, November 27, 2017 An epic journey on stage KANA Kuwait stages its maiden theater production By Sajeev K Peter witnessed the ups and downs of Malayalam theater over the last 50 years, working with hronicling a historical tale in a dis- top-notch professional drama troupes for tinctly Elizabethan style, Kerala Arts thousands of plays in Kerala. Cand Nataka Academy (KANA), Not one to hide his preference for realis- Kuwait, staged its maiden production tic theater, Sujathan said, “Over the years, ‘Abraham’ at the Boy Scouts Theatre, the theatre has been drifting away from Hawally, on November 16 and 17. The play, people owing to many reasons, the whose length exceeded two hours, was pre- onslaught of technology, the growing clout sented in three shows. The performance, of cinema or television, etc. Dialogue-based which was staged in a larger-than-life size plays of the yesteryear have given way for canvas with powerful characters against more visual-oriented dramas of today. The imposing stage settings, was received with emerging trend of experimentation has also enthusiasm by theatre aficionados. weaned away the audience from theatre “It was a huge challenge for us to stage a that has lost its old charm as an art form of drama of this scale in Kuwait. We could the masses. Fortunately, there are some manage this thanks to the veteran stage serious efforts in Kerala today at various designer Sujathan Master,” said Babu levels to restore the old glory to Malayalam Chakola, the director who also played the theatre.” lead character in the play. He applauded theatre activists in the Abraham dexterously depicting the trials As the director puts it, the most fascinat- Gulf region, who, according to him, are and tribulations of the character. Kumar ing aspect of the drama was the effects of more committed and dedicated to the art Thrithala, the associate director, played the set design such as the Tower of Babel-a form than their counterparts in Kerala. “It is both his roles well. Manju Mathew, who is myth meant to explain why the world’s peo- really commendable the efforts being made also the assistant director and played as ples speak different languages-a warhorse by amateur troupes such as KANA Kuwait Abram’s wife Sarah (Sarai) did justice to her racing across a battlefield, majestic palaces, in producing plays in the region despite role, while Deena, Sarai’s maid Hagar, lived and the vast expanse of desert lands several odds,” he added. When asked about up to her character. through which pilgrims march towards their mediatic interventions in scenography, he The lyrics written by Rajeev Alunkal promised land. The scenographic interven- quipped that the use of media must enhance were composed by Fr James Vennaippallil tions were truly able to add to the epic theatre and add to its totality rather than and Seby Nayarambalam. If the audiences quality of the performance without reduc- reduce it to a mere gimmick. can be seen as a barometer for public opin- ing it to a mere spectacle. ion about the play, they overwhelmingly Innovative lighting cheered the actors with their frequent Ambitious set design Chirakkal Raju, the artist who came from applause throughout the performance. “In fact, for a Kuwait production, it was India to do the stage lighting, not only Shajahan Kodungalloor, Aji Paravoor, Dr quite an ambitious task on our part to use merely illuminated the stage but aestheti- Abraham Thomas, Dennis Tharakan, Regi 21 curtains and four sets for the play, cally enhanced both the external setting of Mathew, Davis Valooran, George Punnoose, because it involved a lot of risks. However, the drama and its inner life. He stayed in the Gopakumar, Shiju Paulose, Raju Joseph, we managed it,” observed Artist Sujathan rehearsal camp for nearly a month. Veteran how Abraham answered the calls of God wars and the poignancy of life. Jaison Palakkad, Davis Tharakan, Edwin after Friday’s show. Sujathan, who spent musician Manoj Mavelikkara provided creatively and emotionally. As the director “Around 55 artists both on stage and off Babu, Arun Nagamandalam, Sheeja Davis, more than 15 days in the theatre camp background music for the drama enriching of the play, Chakola has undertaken a sin- stage were involved in the production of Axa Edwin, Jancy Jiju, Shailaja Gopakumar, working on sets and curtains, was instru- the mood for situations. gle-minded effort to bring a mythical story ‘Abraham’. The successful production is the Master Pranavkumar and David Chakola mental in the success of the stage design. Penned by well-known playwright onto the stage with all its colossal dimen- outcome of nearly six months of our labor,” were among the other artists who acted in As a veteran theater artist, Sujathan has Francis T Mavelikkara, the drama unravels sion, the exodus of people, consequent Chakola said. As the protagonist, he played the drama. Pickled in ‘cognac’, Chopin’s heart gives up its secrets Vegas looks outside the casinos to draw in millennials asinos in Las Vegas are upping the ante in their pursuit of coveted millennial visitors with new attractions Cdesigned to wow them, provide them Instagram-worthy moments and maybe even get them to gamble a little. In 2018, a zip line across the street from Caesars Palace and an e-sports arena at the Luxor will join the city’s enter- tainment repertoire geared toward those generally up to age 34. They are becoming majority spenders in today’s economy but aren’t necessarily interested in traditional casino gambling, such as blackjack and craps. Photo shows a general view of the interior of the Warsaw Saint Cross church School children take pictures as they visit the memorial tablet marking the place Fresh out of bankruptcy, Caesars Entertainment plans to where the heart of Polish-French pianist Frederic Chopin rests. — AFP photos build a 1,050-foot-long zip line above its outdoor promenade where rests the heart of Polish pianist Frederic Chopin. anchored by the Linq hotel-casino and the world’s tallest observation wheel. The attraction - the third of its kind in Sin he heart of Frederic Chopin, among the world’s tuberculosis,” lead researcher Professor Michal Witt, out the possibility of cystic fibrosis. In 2008, Poland’s City, but first on the Las Vegas Strip - will feature 10 lines that most cherished musical virtuosos, may finally a top specialist in molecular and clinical genetics, told culture ministry rejected a request by academics to will allow thrill seekers to ride seated or Superman-style. Thave given up the cause of his untimely death. AFP. Unable to open the hermetically sealed jar, his run DNA tests on the relic to check for the CFTR “It’s an efficient use of space, but it’s exciting,” Linq The prolific 19th-century Polish-French pianist and team of medical experts used high-resolution photo- gene, a telltale sign of cystic fibrosis, over fears the Promenade general manager Shaun Swanger said. “Our core composer died at the age of 39, of what had long graphs taken in 2014 to make their diagnosis. “The procedure could irreparably damage the heart. audience is millennials. During the day, you see a lot broader been believed to be tuberculosis (TB). However, in lesions which we saw fit well with the initial diagnosis Whether Chopin suffered from cystic fibrosis “is still range and a lot more families, but as the sun goes down, it 2008, Polish medical experts raised the possibility which was held for years, namely tuberculosis. “The debatable”, Witt told AFP. gets a little bit younger, and as midnight approaches, it’s one that Chopin whose health had always been very frail- lesions are clearly visible on the pericardium of “We cannot prove this for sure, but the likelihood big party.” The ride will begin at the top of a 114-foot-tall had actually suffered from cystic fibrosis (CF). Chopin’s heart,” Witt said, referring to the organ’s that it was tuberculosis rather than cystic fibrosis is launch tower that Caesars will build at the west end of the The genetic respiratory illness clogs the lungs outer membrane typically affected by complications far, far higher. “We can say that with a high degree promenade. Photos and video of the rides, bound for social with sticky, thick mucus and sufferers on average stemming from TB. of confidence.” Records show that as an adult media, will be available. — AP generally do not survive past their late 30s. Now, weighing 40 kilograms at a height of 1.70 meters, Polish scientists, who were the first to use modern ‘Still debatable’ Chopin was chronically underweight, a typical technology to study Chopin’s heart-preserved for the The findings of Witt and his team are due to be symptom of cystic fibrosis. Without genetic tests, it last 168 years inside a crystal jar in what appears to published in the February print issue of the esteemed is also impossible to be entirely certain that the be cognac-believe they are a step closer to an accu- American Journal of Medicine, complete with a organ itself is Chopin’s, although as Witt points out, rate diagnosis. unique photograph of the pickled heart. But without there “is no reason to believe that it isn’t, at least to “We can say that it is highly possible that it was DNA tests, Witt admits that he cannot entirely rule our knowledge.” — AFP Rance Howard dies at 89 eteran Hollywood actor Rance Howard, the children’s production in Oklahoma of classic fairy father of director Ron Howard, died tales like “Snow White” and “Cinderella.” They VSaturday.