more-in “People are interested in social issues, but only proper packaging and presentation can keep them glued to their seats,” says Jino Joseph, two-time winner of Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) for best direction. Jino is known for his grand productions on socially relevant topics that have satisfied all types of viewers, be it at a theatre festival or on the streets. Nona, his latest venture, was adjudged the best play at META 2018, besides winning awards for best stage design and light design. “The entertainment quotient cannot be compromised if we want the public to listen to the serious issues that we present before them,” says Jino, attributing a major part of the success of his plays to stage and light settings. The production cost of the play was around ?15 lakh, which is being slowly being recovered from several ticketed stagings across Kerala. Nona is about political lies and the illusory world they create. But ultimately, the bubble breaks. It revolves around a map of India that suddenly appears in the courtyard of a labourer. A salient feature of Nona is its cast that mostly comprise daily wage labourers, farmers and shopkeepers from Koduvally in Kozhikode, who were united by their passion for theatre under a new banner called ‘Black theatre’. “I had formed the characters after studying the mannerisms of the actors, who had no prior acting experience, so they only had to behave. A three-month-long theatre camp was conducted during which the theme was decided based on discussions with actors and friends,” says Jino. The META awards are not new for Jino whose play Mathi, under the banner of Malayala Kalanilayam, Koothuparamba, had won four awards in 2015. The director is now working on Beedi, his next venture with the Kalanilayam. The play has been short-listed for Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s competition and will be staged in Thrissur on May 3.

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