Producer Ashvin Gidwani on the stage production of Paulo Coelho's bestseller that will play across India
Producer Ashvin Gidwani on the stage production of Paulo Coelho's bestseller that will play across Indiau00a0u00a0
DO you want the long version or short version?" asks Ashvin Gidwani, when we enquire about latest production, the theatre version of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. We get the long version, sprinkled with good humour and philosophy.
In his mind's eye, Gidwani saw the Bhagvad Gita in The Alchemist. Why? Because both have the idea that "the whole world converges towards a universal truth. When you have an idea to do something, the whole world comes together with you to do that," he explains.
Gidwani chose journalist Deepa Gehlot to adapt the book for stage. "She said, 'I haven't read it,' I asked her to read it. After she had, I asked her to visualise it," he says. Manish Dattani was approached to direct. "Mahesh is a brilliant director. He has tremendous experience. We both understood that if we want to create something, we have to make it grand, have great production values, music and live singing, martial arts" Hold on, martial arts? Really? "Yes," comes the reply "and choreography and then of course, we wanted a fresh face for Santiago (the principal character of the book). We went for 300 + auditions," says Gidwani.
At last, Mohan Kapoor was chosen for the part. And despite music being a primal force that weaves the play, it isn't a musical, says the producer.
A year and a half later, a book that Gidwani couldn't finish will see its theatrical form in India. The magic realism of the book is something the cast and crew hope to catch the authenticity of. "Time was spent in research and development, making it theatre worthy. We wanted to be able to engage the audience without giving them a moment to say 'What's going on?' We took the entire essence; you've got to take the piece for what it is. We wanted to keep the symbolism of the content and take it forward. Think on a larger scale," says the producer.
The Alchemist will play today evening, 6.30 pm at Tata Theatre, NCPA
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