End of the Bloc on words!

It could be tagged as India’s biggest search for playwrights. But after two editions in 2004 and 2007 it was cancelled due to lack of funds. Now, this year Writers Bloc — the brainchild of Mumbai-based Rage Theatre Group — is back on track after it received some funding.

Actor Shernaz Patel, one of the founder members of Rage Theatre Group along with Rahul Da Cunha and Rajit Kapoor, says, “Finance was the problem. This is a workshop, a long process. It is impossible to get corporate funding for something that has no immediate result. It is going to be almost a year- and-a-half project to find India’s best 12 playwrights. With help from British Council and London’s Royal Court Theatre, this will be a big start for us.”

While Writers Bloc is inviting aspiring playwrights from all over the country to submit their scripts in any Indian language, Royal Court Theatre is sending three members to coordinate closely with the chosen few, bolster their confidence and also produce the best of plays in ‘Royal Court Theatre’ style.

Shenaz, however, is worried that Hindi theatre may not find enough representation amongst the 12 scripts. “Last time the Hindi scripts were really weak. It’s surprising because more than half of India’s population speaks Hindi. We hope it gets better this time,” she ends.