Long queues in front of ticket counters, the fights to grab tickets, security guards trying to control the crazy mob, whistling, endless clapping and applause for the interesting sequences, coloured clothes, catchy slogans, dialogues, scripts, stories, sound – these elements of the theatrical arts are fading away quicker than one could anticipate. It is a tool for opinion building, pick up societal issues and create awareness. There was a time when theatres were the only source of entertainment. Theatre was once what cinema is today. Once cinema is overpowering theatre culture. Theatre aspirants adored going to theatres, but that love has been on the rocks since for few years. These days, the digital revolution is just another nail in the coffin of theatre. Online streaming applications like Amazon Prime, Netflix has already changed the equation of entertainment by making originals. Viewers like to sit at home on their couch watching originals rather than getting out of the house to watch a live dramatic performance. Today’s generations are more likely to watch by themselves on a personal device with a headphone plugged in. Netflix, Amazon Prime make exclusive originals for their fan base. They have spread their wings confidently to haul a huge audience. Since streaming in the confines and comfort of your room appeals more to today’s generations, the possibility of minting money from such options is endless. These online streaming giants charge a onetime fee for providing the services. To compete with these giants, the price of theatre tickets is also on a rise. To gain momentum, theatre organisers need to create a space for the audience where they can watch it in their personal devices and in the comfort of their homes. Subscription services and cheap rentals manipulate the minds of the audience by luring them to stay indoors streaming live and stay entertained as compared to going out. The theatre isn’t able to compete with the home streaming options.

I decided to check the situation myself, is it really that this wonderful art of theatre is taking a backseat. I ditched the comfort of my room and went out to witness a play in one of the finest theatres that exist.

Manzil Theatre Group is one of the leading theatre groups to come up with some quality plays with an aim to bring the audience back to theatre. One of their plays, Queenza - the War for Love deserves giant applause for the hard work and magnificent performances. It is a love story based on Greek Mythology. Breath-taking action, romantic tragedy, drama, suspense, a fight between good and evil which gives a beautiful message. The discerning audience witnessed this show which was held in Shri Ram Centre Auditorium. The Auditorium was full. The audiences were laughing through tears at times and crying through smiles at other.

All actors on stage did their best. Altaf Hussain as philosopher excelled, looked convincing and acted with ease. Surprisingly the fight scene between philosopher and commander were mind-blowing. You see a philosopher who never does battle well, he battles it out with the enemy army using a sword. Throughout the deadly war scene, your heart goes out to the philosopher. You hold your breath. Goosebumps broke out all over your body. You prayed the philosopher doesn’t get struck. On stage, rarely we see anything so exhilarating as this battle sequence. One of the other funny draws, of course, is Kumbad character which has been fittingly essayed by Harshit Verma. The sound effects were awesome. The production is aptly rehearsed and mesmerising with its interesting presentation.

Watching the awesome play of Manzil theatre group I personally feel that this culture actually never lose its integrity. The theatre is a collaborative art form with writer, producers, directors, actors, costume makers and so on. Great theatre happens when original creative people come together at the height of their powers in a miraculous concoction. When all those pieces coincide, when the performance is great, lighting, music and design are great, that’s when great theatre occurs. In that play, the director has made something interesting that will leave an imprint in my mind.

We are at a place where an entire generation has introduced to the arts through digital context. Personally, I think theatre is becoming new again. The notion of going into the theatre, a quiet small space with a bunch of real human beings, sitting in three-dimensional experience is an old version. We all know about the phrase that “old is gold’’. So the theatre is new again.

How we preserved this culture?

1) Live performance with a live audience creates a bond which has existed for thousands of years where a human being meets another and tells the story. If I rewind my thought in back two years ago, I going to listen to the live performance of Lata Ji. I have listened to her music many times at home on a beautiful sound system but seeing and hearing her sing live moved me like it’s never moved me before. I received that performance like a gift. So real theatre and real performance exist when you have a meeting of the performer and the audience as the receiver.

2) I would hope if the regional theatre improves their funding in the future, and we are left with a secure theatre network.

3) The activity of theatre has lasted for many years. As long as human beings have the need to hear stories and to tell stories, it will remain.

4) Technology gives you more tools to get to the core event but fierce passion the artist has to reveal the story is what powers the theatre.

5) The workshop is another step to preserve theatre.

6) The responsibility for the preservation of the theatre must be taken care of every level in the society such as audiences, the presenters and many more. One’s should never forget about his roots. The theatre is basic and modern multiplex culture is luxury, not a necessity. It's a direct connection to our heart. We should respect this culture.