Helen O’Grady theatre troupe from Mumbai to reimagine classics at Vizag Junior Lit Fest

When a group of young actors from Mumbai take the stage at the Vizag Junior Lit Fest (VJLF) at Hawa Mahal on November 8 and 9, they will carry with them months of disciplined rehearsal, creative collaboration and a spirit of theatrical discovery. The Helen O’Grady theatre troupe, comprising 20 students from grades 5 to 8 of SM Shetty International School, Powai, will present two contrasting plays: The Sound of Music and The Tempest.

For this team of children, chosen after an audition of 50 participants, the journey has been as significant as the final performance. “We began with a large pool of students and gradually narrowed it down to 20,” says Urvi Thaker, vice president (training) of Helen O’Grady. “Over two and a half months, we worked closely with them, refining character work, stage presence and coordination, to shape the final production.” Urvi and Diptesh Khera, senior trainer at Helen O’Grady International, have been guiding the students through this process, balancing instruction with discovery.

The creative team decided early on to keep the staging simple. “We wanted the narrative and performances to take precedence,” says Urvi. “Even without elaborate sets or props, when the characters and dialogue are strong, the play can hold the audience.” The minimalist setting allows the children’s expressions and timing to become the focus, bringing out an understated yet powerful stage presence.

Helen O Grady theatre troupe from Mumbai performing The Tempest play. The team will be in Visakhapatnam for the Vizag Junior Lit Fest.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A distinctive feature of both productions is the use of pre-recorded sound, including dialogues. “The students have been trained to sync their movements and expressions with pre-recorded dialogue and musical cues,” Urvi explains. “It helps them develop a keen sense of timing, and at the same time, it ensures we avoid any last-minute technical setbacks.”

The musical foundation of The Sound of Music remains faithful to the much-loved film, with familiar tracks interwoven with new compositions created by the Helen O’Grady team. For The Tempest, however, the adaptation required careful reimagining. “Our version is slightly different from Shakespeare’s,” says Urvi. “We have removed some dark parts and some elements showing violence.” The script has been simplified for clarity, yet the dignity of its original tone and the elegance of language have been preserved.

For the Helen O’Grady team, The Tempest holds special resonance. “It’s a play that captures loyalty, forgiveness, power, love and a touch of magic,” Urvi reflects. “We’ve performed this for adult audiences more than 50 times; but this version, tailored for children, carries the same emotional depth in a lighter, more accessible form.”

The Tempest will be staged on November 8 and Sound of Music on November 9 at VJLF at Hawa Mahal from 6pm to 7pm. Entry is free.