Artists during rehearsals. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Sandeep Tadi says, we are issuing more advice than launching the play trailer. Hyderabad based theater director cites new play killer joe by Tracy Letts, which includes ‘For 18+ only’, ‘Not for the faint of heart’ and ‘Sex, nudity, drugs, profanity and violence’ as warnings. Will be staged in Hyderabad this weekend, killer joeA collaboration between Storyboard Productions and Preksha Theater Company (PTC), the film is a ‘grisly crime drama that presents a proctologist’s view of the American family and has a deeply twisted ending.’ Producer Preksha had wanted to present this play ever since she got the rights to the play about six years ago.

twist and turn

Rehearsal time Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The 105-minute long (with one break) debut play from award-winning playwright Tracy Letts tells the story of Chris, a young drug dealer who is in desperate need of cash. He and his father Ansel plan to murder Chris’s mother for the insurance policy. The two hire part-time hitman Joe Cooper, but complications arise when Joe insists on advance payment. “Since both individuals obviously cannot pay the insurance policy money before receiving it, Joe demands a special retainer until payment is received which causes things to get out of control; “It all leads to an explosive finale with twists and turns,” says Sandeep, co-founder of Storyboard Productions.

fake scene

During rehearsals. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Sandeep says, the scenes involving abuse, violence and nudity on stage are exemplary and have been handled carefully. He admits, “In films one can play with camera angles but doing it on stage is a challenge.” Along with ‘impressive action sequences’, the actors playing the five characters – Yash Puri, Kajol Dubey, Abhinav Rastogi , Arushi Aggarwal and Jonas David have been preparing for three months now.

The director’s challenge was to ensure that the ‘disturbing scenes’ did not detract from the main story or appear forced or out of context. “We want the audience to focus on the story, characters and script; The dark scenes are only a part of the story and do not advance the story.

Artists during rehearsals. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Now three days are left for the play to be staged and Sandeep is very upset. “No one has experimented like this in the Hyderabad theater circuit. We look forward to seeing the audience’s response. It’s tough for the actors too but it’s part of the challenge that will develop them as actors and prepare them for any role.”

Storyboard Productions and Preksha Theater Company (PTC) will present Killer Joe by Tracy Letts at Rangbhoomi Space, Serilingampally on 8, 9, 10 November at 7.30 pm. Tickets on Bookmyshow.com