Social enterprise Movement Mantra and independent theatre company Third Half Theatre announce the debut show of their dance-theatre production ‘Still Dancing,’ aimed at raising awareness and igniting conversations about Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The production, premieres in Mumbai on the 11th of April at 7:30 PM at the Experimental Theatre, NCPA, which coincides with World Parkinson’s Day, followed by a show at the Royal Opera house on the 13th of April at 7:30 PM. The show, based on a true story, will also be staged in Ahmedabad on the 19th & 20th of April at the Forum, Club O Seven.
Movement Coach and Founder of Movement Mantra, Dr. Vonita Singh, has been championing the Parkinson’s cause in the Middle East and India for over 10 years. She produced ‘Still Dancing’ in 2019 to give people with PD and their families a message of hope through the real-life story of her father, whom she lost to Parkinson’s in 2009.
“It is not enough to talk about Parkinson’s once a year during World Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Particularly alarming is the rise of young onset cases, including people as young as 20. It’s time we stepped up on building awareness through something immediate and effective like theatre. It is our hope that Still Dancing will contribute to the cause,” elaborated Dr. Singh on her motivation to bring Still Dancing to India.
Award-winning Writer & Director and founder of Third Half Theatre, Sanjeev Dixit, the mastermind behind the theatre production, commented on the play’s journey and why it resonates with audiences, “We had such a beautiful response to the play when we first staged it in Dubai. I guess, while it is a play on Parkinson’s, at its heart, it is still quite simply the story of a family. A family like yours and mine, with the same hopes and dreams. The play follows their lives, their joys and, of course, their hardships. And I think it resonated with the audience with that simplicity and sincerity of purpose.”
Headlined by the mesmerizing Kumar Sharma, the dance troupe ensemble of Kathak Rockers blends the abstract with the real issues faced with Parkinson’s in a beautiful blend of Indian classical and modern dance in a way only he can. “Movement through dance is an integral part of the journey of this family through the trials and tribulations brought upon them. It has been a privilege to interpret dance as a medium to heal and I am excited to help raise this awareness among the community,” said Kumar.
Theatre management company QTP has helped coordinate the production effort. Great sensitivity is required when pulling together a cast that can do justice to a subject as sensitive as a family dealing with debilitating health conditions. “Our efforts were focused on facilitating auditions to ensure a cast that would do justice to the emotive quotient required via not only their talent but through a recognition of the social contribution their efforts would make,” says Quasar Thakore-Padamsee, co-founder of QTP.
United by their passion to campaign for this social cause, the play’s stellar cast includes Bhavna Pani, Vivek Raj Tandon, Mona Ambegaonkar, Nakul Bhalla, Amey Mehta, Bhumika Mane, Abhimanyu Gupta and Avenav Mukherjee.
Explaining the role and importance of dance in the production, Dr. Singh said, “People with Parkinson’s disease are recommended physical activity, mental stimulation and social engagement, and without a doubt, dance, an expressive art form, provides all three. Thinking and moving like a dancer instinctively applies to most aspects of living with Parkinson’s. Using the brain consciously to guide the body is the basic tool of dance and a person with Parkinson’s needs to do just that when the autonomous commands are compromised. Making mindful movement a mantra is the message we want people to take away.”
Make sure you pencil in the dates for Still Dancing. Tickets to the shows are now available on Book My Show.
Still Dancing: A Play on Parkinsons’ Awareness by Movement Mantra & Third Half Theatre
Supported by the Adani Foundation
Language: English
Age Suitability: 12 +
Duration: 90 minutes
Shows:
1) 11th of April, 7:30 PM, Experimental Theatre, NCPA Mumbai
2) 13th of April at 7:30 PM, Royal Opera House, Mumbai
3) 19th & 20th of April at 7:30 PM, The Forum, Ahmedabad
Tickets on BookMyShow
Synopsis: Based on a true Story, Still Dancing portrays the journey of a family, quite like yours and mine, with the same hopes, dreams, triumphs, and struggles. Prepare to be swept away by the music, enthralled by the dance, and moved by a timeless story of our times. “It is a strange cage I find myself trapped in. Yet it is still but a cage. I’m here, the same as ever. But no one heeds me.”
Cast & Credits:
Cast: Bhavna Pani, Vivek Raj Tandon, Mona Ambegaonkar, Nakul Bhalla, Amey Mehta, Bhumika Mane, Abhimanyu Gupta, Avenav Mukherjee
Dancers: Kumar Sharma, Anmol Sood, Rahul Sharma, Shammi Kumar, Eshika Choomer, Smriti Bhandari, Meghna Thakur, Bhavana Sharma from Kathak Rockers
Written and Directed By: Sanjeev Dixit
Choreography By: Kumar Sharma
Produced By: Vonita Singh
Presented By: Movement Mantra and Third Half Theatre
Dance Partner: Kathak Rockers
Line Producer: QTP Entertainment Pvt Ltd
Supported by: Adani Foundation
This was shown first on: https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/raising-parkinsons-awareness-still-dancing-comes-to-mumbai-all-deets-inside-8842233.html
