GUWAHATI: Faced with an uncertain future in view of the prevailing Covid-19 in the state, 30 out of 35 mobile theatre groups have decided not to stage plays for another year despite the health department’s nod to begin rehearsals.
Tapan Lahkar, producer of Kohinoor theatre and member of All Assam Mobile Theatre Association, said, “The SOP has granted permission for rehearsals only. The government is yet to grant permission for shows among the public.”
“Rehearsals will entail an investment of Rs 30 lakh. We are uncertain about getting our investment back adhering to Covid-19 protocols,” he said.
A total of 21 mobile theatre groups are under the association while 14 are not.
Four theatre groups registered under the association — Abahan, Itihax, Bhagyadebi and Nayantora, and one theatre group outside the association — Udayan have decided to take a chance, banking on the government allowing fully vaccinated people to attend the shows.
Major theatre groups including, Kohinoor have decided to remain shut for another year. “We have already survived more than a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We do not want to take risks by going for shows. It would be better to wait for another year and go for shows in 2022-23 after complete normalcy returns,” Lahkar said.
He said cinema halls or multiplexes can be resumed with limited seat capacity as they function inside a closed hall. “But it is not possible for the theatre groups and the committees, who invite a group for show, to control the seating capacity adhering to Covid-19 protocols,” Lahkar said.
Usually, the pre-production work of mobile theatre groups begin in May and June. Rehearsals of the plays start in July and the groups finally go for shows from September and the journey ends in April next year.
The budget of a mobile theatre group for a year ranges from Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 3 crore.
