From immersive performances to a number of theatres and theatre festivals, Delhi is a city that has lots to offer for those in the drama fraternity. Whether you’re planning to showcase a play of your own, or watch fellow artists perform their story, these seven theatres around town are pretty much where all the magic happens.
Love Watching Plays? Bookmark This List Of 6 Theatres To Catch The Best Shows In The City
Black Box Okhla
Nikhil Mehta, who has been closely associated with theatre for years and has worked with the likes of Vishal Bharadwaj and Mira Nair turned a raw Okhla factory into an unusual performing arts space and hence, Black Box was born. It’s one of those spaces that doesn’t follow the strict old-school stage format with fixed seating zones, but embraces the bare walls. Plus, we hear that the lighting at Black Box is spectacular and it’s really unlike any theatre you might’ve come across in the city.
Follow their Facebook page here and drop by to watch a new adaptation of Woyzeck too maybe?
Shri Ram Centre For Performing Arts
Shri Ram Centre For Performing Arts is an institution of sorts for those in the Delhi theatre circuit. What was once known as the Indian National Theatre back in 1950 is now an independent cultural society that produces its own plays annually, as well as showcases other performances. The SRPCA also hosts various acting workshops and programs, so if you want to expand your circle, learn stagecraft and see yourself as an acclaimed artist someday, this place could offer the perfect start.
And while you’re there, be sure to check out their canteen. It’s all good, simple food at decent prices that’s sure to make you happy.
Follow their Facebook page here.
Akshara Theatre
Personally, we love Akshara for its pretty, green outdoor stage area, where watching plays is ever so pleasant and casual. While we admit that its indoor stage area might not be as massive as the stages at most theatres, Akshara has been around long enough {since 1972, to be precise} and created some of the best plays of all time {like The Ramayana that received acclaim in Broadway in New York, at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and more} to be considered a part of Delhi’s epic theatre repertoire.
Follow their Facebook page here.
Kamani Auditorium
Nothing can probably ever match the old-school vibe of the legendary Kamani Auditorium that has been around since 1971. While we’ve mostly attended concerts or dance dramas here, Kamani’s 632 seater auditorium also sees performances of critically acclaimed plays. This auditorium’s cafe is also one of the few places where the 90s theatre cool kids hung out.
Sirifort Auditorium
Sirifort is one, massive space that has four auditoriums {which can accommodate around 2,500 people}. While it’s a popular space for a lot of comedy shows and musical performances, this auditorium is also the headquarters of the Directorate of Film Festivals {DFF}. Which is why Sirifort sees a fair share of theatre festivals too. As part of the upcoming Delhi Theatre Festival, a lot of interesting plays starring veterans like Pankaj Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah will be showcased at Sirifort, so be sure to drop by.
