CHENNAI: A decade after her onstage performance in a children's pantomine for Little Theatre, National Award winning actor Revathy will don the greasepaint for a play in the city, today and tomorrow. She will play the lead role in the English play, 1, Madhav Bagh, a Ranga Shankara production which has been translated by Shantha Gokhale from the original Marati script by Chetan Datar. Though she has previously played this role of a mother finding out and coming to terms with her son’s sexuality, Revathy says that it is different this time around because this will be the first time Chennai will see her as a stage actor. Although the play has been staged close to 40 shows in Bangalore, Mumbai, Kochi, this is the first time that it will be performed in Chennai — Revathy's home turf. “I’m excited, but also quite nervous because this is home ground,” the actress gushes. This will also be one of the first few times that intimate theatre will be introduced in the city. This means that the play will be staged to a very small audience, in an informal setting. Revathy admits that this is an experience very different from what she is used to in films. “It was quite intimidating in the beginning,” she begins and explains, “I was seeing the audience so close, looking into their eyes. But now, I see that the connection I make with them is so beautiful, I enjoy the connection.” Considering the intimacy levels involved in such theatre experiences, Revathy points out that the vibe that she receives from the audience is vital. “If that doesn’t happen, sometimes I know that I’m not doing the best that I can.” By her admission that she can relate with the script, it is obvious that, more often than not, she is able to make the connect with the audience. “I have had friends for a very long time who have gone through the same situation (of finding out that their child is a homosexual). I understand a mother’s point of view, parents go through a lot when their children are different,” she says. But does she think Chennai is ready to broach a topic such as homosexuality at an open forum? “Why not,” she brushes it off. “We are growing. Though Chennai outwardly looks like it is conservative, it always embrace different things easily, Chennaiites are not hypocrites, they openly voice their opinion.” Revathy, who was last seen in the Malayalam film Father’s Day, says that she is waiting for challenging roles.Directed by Mariam Jetpurwala, 1, Madhav Bagh, the 40-minute play will be staged at Amethyst, Whites Road, Royapettah, today and tomorrow at 7 pm and 8 pm respectively.
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