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In the Company of Theatre

In the Company of Theatre

Study Action Plan (Sorted by Difficulty)
Company Theatre in India
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Decline of Company Theatres
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Gubbi Company
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Influence of Theatre Personalities
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Parsi Theatre Companies
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Surabhi Theatre
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Learning Objectives

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Learning Objectives

  • Understand the concept of Company Theatre in India, including its historical significance and the lifestyle of artists involved from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
  • Explore the history and influence of Parsi Theatre Companies in Bombay, including notable productions like 'Roostum Zabooli' and 'Sohrab'.
  • Examine the role and cultural impact of Surabhi Theatre in Andhra Pradesh, known for its traditional Hindu plays and innovative use of magic and live VFX.
  • Analyze the contributions of the Gubbi Company in Karnataka, famous for plays such as 'Sadharame' and 'Subhadra'.
  • Identify the factors that led to the decline of company theatres in India post-Independence, including financial mismanagement and competition from cinema.
  • Recognize the influence of theatre personalities like Dr. Rajkumar and BV Karanth, who began their careers in company theatres and contributed significantly to Indian theatre.

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Revision Notes & Summary

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Chapter Notes

Company Theatre in India

  • Definition: Company theatres were professional groups of artists performing theatrical productions, prevalent from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
  • Lifestyle: Artists lived, rehearsed, and traveled together, performing shows as their primary livelihood.
  • Structure: These troupes were self-sufficient, including roles such as make-up artists, costume tailors, set designers, and more.

Parsi Theatre Companies

  • Origin: Emerged in Bombay, Maharashtra, during the 1850s to 1930s.
  • Notable Productions: 'Roostum Zabooli', 'Sohrab', and others.
  • Influence: Inspired theatrical productions across India, spreading to Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

Surabhi Theatre

  • Location: Andhra Pradesh.
  • Foundation: Established in 1885.
  • Specialty: Known for plays based on Hindu tradition and history, utilizing magic and live VFX.
  • Popular Plays: 'Sri Krishna Leelalu', 'Jai Pathala Bhiravi', 'Bhakta Prahlada', 'Maya Bazar', 'Sri Venkateshwara Udhbhavam', 'Balanagamma'.

Gubbi Company

  • Location: Karnataka.
  • Famous Plays: 'Sadharame', 'Subhadra', 'Hemareddy Mallamma'.
  • Notable Personalities: Dr. Rajkumar and BV Karanth began their careers here.

Decline of Company Theatres

  • Post-Independence Decline: Factors included financial mismanagement and competition from cinema.
  • Content Issues: Some companies resorted to less family-friendly content.
  • Rise of Amateur Theatre: Havyasi theatre gained popularity for its convenience.

Influence of Theatre Personalities

  • Dr. Rajkumar: Started his career in company theatre, becoming a famous Kannada actor.
  • BV Karanth: Renowned theatre director who also began in company theatre.

Present Situation

  • Current State: While traditional company theatres have declined, professional repertoires continue to provide high-quality productions, enhanced by modern technology.
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Practice Test – MCQs, True/False

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Multiple Choice Questions

A.

Amateur theatre

B.

Company theatre

C.

Parsi theatre

D.

Surabhi theatre
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

BV Karanth started his career in company theatre, which was a professional setting for theatrical performances.

Chapter Concept:

Influence of Theatre Personalities

A.

It was the first to use live VFX on stage.

B.

It was the first to allow women to act.

C.

It introduced the concept of amateur theatre.

D.

It was the first to perform plays in English.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The Gubbi Company was the first to allow women to act, which was a significant contribution to the Kannada theatre industry.

Chapter Concept:

Gubbi Company

A.

Performing plays based on Western literature

B.

Incorporating magic and live VFX

C.

Using only male actors

D.

Focusing on modern themes
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Surabhi Theatre is known for its use of magic and live VFX in its performances.

Chapter Concept:

Surabhi Theatre

A.

Financial mismanagement

B.

Competition from cinema

C.

Lack of technological advancement

D.

Rise of amateur theatre
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

While financial mismanagement, competition from cinema, and the rise of amateur theatre contributed to the decline, technological advancement was not a factor in the decline.

Chapter Concept:

Decline of Company Theatres

A.

Surabhi Theatre

B.

Halasangi Nataka Mandali

C.

Gubbi Company

D.

Parsi Natak Mandali
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The Gubbi Company was the most famous theatre company in Karnataka, known for popular plays like 'Sadharame' and 'Subhadra'.

Chapter Concept:

Gubbi Company

A.

It was the first to use live VFX on stage.

B.

It was the first to allow women to act.

C.

It was the first to perform plays in English.

D.

It was the first to incorporate cinema techniques.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The Gubbi Company was notable for being the first to allow women to act, which was a significant development in Indian theatre.

Chapter Concept:

Gubbi Company

A.

The rise of amateur theatre or Havyasi theatre.

B.

The introduction of cinema and its novel techniques.

C.

The lack of traditional stories and family-friendly content.

D.

The inability to manage companies with financial efficiency.
Correct Answer: D

Solution:

The decline of company theatres was largely due to the inability to manage them with the financial efficiency required.

Chapter Concept:

Company Theatre in India

A.

Amateur theatre offered more convenient and flexible performances.

B.

Amateur theatre was able to attract more famous actors.

C.

Amateur theatre had better financial management.

D.

Amateur theatre provided higher quality productions.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The concept of amateur theatre, or Havyasi theatre, gained popularity due to its convenience, which contributed to the decline of traditional company theatres.

Chapter Concept:

Decline of Company Theatres

A.

It was the first to allow women to act.

B.

It uses magic and live VFX in its plays.

C.

It is the oldest theatre company in India.

D.

It was founded by a famous Kannada actor.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Surabhi Theatre is known for its use of magic and live VFX in its plays, which sets it apart from other traditional theatre troupes.

Chapter Concept:

Surabhi Theatre

A.

They were the first to allow women to act.

B.

They performed in open-air arenas.

C.

They incorporated live VFX and magic on stage.

D.

They were the first to introduce proscenium style productions.
Correct Answer: D

Solution:

Parsi theatre companies were known for their proscenium style productions, which inspired many theatrical productions across India.

Chapter Concept:

Company Theatre in India

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In the Company of Theatre

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True or False

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Company theatres in India declined post-Independence due to financial mismanagement and competition from the cinema industry.

Chapter Concept :

Decline of Company Theatres

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The first Parsi theatre company, 'Parsi Natak Mandali', performed its first play, Roostum Zabooli, and Sohrab in 1853.

Chapter Concept :

Parsi Theatre Companies

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Surabhi Theatre is known for using magic, live VFX, and logic-defying feats on stage, not for realistic and minimalistic productions.

Chapter Concept :

Surabhi Theatre

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Company theatres in India were prevalent from the 18th to the 20th centuries.

Chapter Concept :

Company Theatre in India

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The decline was attributed to financial mismanagement and competition from the cinema industry, which offered novel techniques and became a strong contender.

Chapter Concept :

Decline of Company Theatres

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Parsi theatre companies were primarily based in Bombay (now Mumbai) and performed plays all over India during the 1850s to 1930s.

Chapter Concept :

Parsi Theatre Companies

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Company theatres were indeed professional groups of artists that performed theatrical productions, prevalent from the 18th to the 20th centuries.

Chapter Concept :

Company Theatre in India

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Amateur theatre gained popularity for its convenience, which contributed to the decline of traditional company theatres.

Chapter Concept :

Decline of Company Theatres

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The Parsi Natak Mandali performed their first play, 'Roostum Zabooli' and 'Sohrab', in 1853, marking the beginning of Parsi theatre productions.

Chapter Concept :

Parsi Theatre Companies

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Dr. Rajkumar and BV Karanth are noted theatre personalities who started their careers in company theatres, contributing significantly to the field.

Chapter Concept :

Influence of Theatre Personalities

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