HARKAT STUDIOS is very pleased to announce a 2-day fringe (Mumbai Edition) as an extended part of the Jairangam festival in Jaipur.

The Lesson, a one-act play by Eugène Ionesco, is a comedic parable of the dangers inherent in indoctrination, performed in 1951 as La Leçon and published in 1953.

In a seemingly lonely old professor’s house, a young pupil comes for her ‘lesson’ as she wants a Doctorate in ‘all the possible streams.’

The professor seems to be her best hope and his encouraging, respectful and demure demeanour, make her feel all the more confident.dBut as the lesson progresses, the professor starts to assert himself more and more strongly, becomes aggressive to the point of murderous towards the pupil, who, over the same course of time, is slowly but surely reduced to a limp, lifeless object, with no control over herself, and a mere putty in the professor’s hands. The play tackles the overall idea of the menace of totalitarianism with wit, precision and delectable use of language.

Through the skewed and one dimensional relationship of a teacher and student, as giver and taker, the play asks several questions, both personal and political.

Are we awake? Are we aware? Are we free?

About the Director

Sukant has been practicing theatre in Mumbai for over 13 years, having acted in plays like Detective 9-2-11, Taking Sides, A Few Good Men, Blank Page, Betrayal, Krapp's Last Tape, james aur ek giant peach, Aaj rang hai and others.

He has also directed the plays, Ishq Aaha (with Gagan Dev Riar), The Lesson and Going to the Sea.

His film work as an actor includes Ghost Stories (Netflix 2020), Sandeep aur Pinky Faraar, Do Barra, Monica O My Darling, Kapoor and Sons, Kaalakandi, Ribbon and the recently released series Kala Paani.

He also works with children and corporates, using theatre as a means of communication and engagement.

Performers:

Sukant Goel

Kallirroi Tziafeta

Vedika Sai

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