Imphal, January 02: For the first time in the annals of theatre in Eastern India, Chorus Repertory Theatre, Imphal will play host to the Asian Theatre Festival from January 7 till 11 at the Chorus' playhouse 'The Shrine'.

Eminent theatre exponent and chairman of the Chorus Repertory Ratan Thiyam making the announcement during a press briefing today, said the theatre troupes from the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan would be staging their plays at the Shamushang Uku premise of the Chorus in addition to performances by a Kolkata based theatre group.

The Chorus Repertory managed to rope in Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi to sponsor the festival and bear traveling expenses of the foreign theatre companies, Thiyam said adding that local expenses would be met by the Chorus.

Describing the festival as his long cherished dream, the chairman citing lack of financial strength said, to pay production cost of the foreign companies, the Chorus will be compelled to sell tickets during the festival.

As a token of hospitality and show of love to the foreign theatre companies, remuneration will be given to them (Foreign companies).

Confirming the participation of the foreign and Kolkata groups, he said Japanese group 'Black Tent Theatre' would stage its production 'The Lineage' directed by Natsuko Kiritane while the Vietnamese troupe of 'Vietnam National Theatre' would showcase 'Moonlight in Little Courtyard' directed by Dang Tu Mai.

The Philippines company Mebuyan Peace Project under the direction of Geeyajayarriola will stage 'Panaw' and Kolkata Theatre Body 'Nandikar' will stage 'Shanu Roy Choudhary', he said adding that the Chorus' latest production 'Ritu' will be staged during the festival.

Thanking ICCR for agreeing to sponsor the festival, Ratan Thiyam said, local production 'Ritu' - depicting the loneliness of a man - has already been staged at Mumbai and that barring the Chorus' and Nandikar's play the other three foreign entries will feature their productions twice in a day at the festival.

Pre show talks on play by respective directors would also be organized during the five day festival he informed and exuded confidence that such talks would benefit inspire theatre lovers all over the State.

While English language will be the medium in, the Filipino plays, the Japanese and Vietnamese production would be staged in their own dialect, he added.

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