On popular demand, the Marathi version of Waiting for Godot is back this weekend. We chatted with the star attraction of the play
On popular demand, the Marathi version of Waiting for Godot is back this weekend. We chatted with the star attraction of the playMost people know Tom Alter as the veteran actor who has played the part of an Angrez, whether good or bad, in countless Bollywood films. But for the actor himself, his character Lucky in Samuel Beckett's play, Waiting for Godot is one that's dearest to his heart. For nearly 20 years, he along with stage veterans Naseeruddin Shah, Benjamin Gilani, Roshan Taneja and Akash Khurana played a part for the English version of the play. He's now back, after more than a decade, this time in Marathi.
You have a history with Waiting For Godot. From 1977 till 1997, you've been an integral of several performances. What makes you go back to the play? The play is part of my being, and not just as an actor. The shows I did with Naseer, Ben, Mr Taneja and Akash Khurana will stay at the core of my being. So, to do the play again, to do "Lucky" again, is to journey both, forward and back. I am deeply happy to be back with the play.
Did you have to learn Marathi from scratch? Was it tough? I am still learning Marathi; it's a language I have wanted to learn for decades. Lucky has only a long speech, no dialogues, so, I can manage. At this stage, full dialogues would have been impossible, but I aim to learn Marathi well enough to do a full play or film.
Waiting For Godot lends itself to any time and place (both, in terms of the theme and props). Does that make it more tempting to perform it over and over? When do we see you team up with Naseeruddin Shah and Benjamin Gilani again?Godot is eternal. Since he never comes, or she never comes, time is of no importance. With Naseer and Ben, it may not happen again, but it did for many years, and that is precious to me. And so is this show, with Dilip and Shekhar and Arun.
At: Ravindra Natya Mandir.
Call: 9322239751.
On: June 20 and 21
