Theatre is often considered to be the most important platform for an actor to showcase his or her skills on. The stage tests you at various levels as you perform right in front of a live audience and there is no scope for a retake. Speak to an actor who has been doing theatre for ages and he will tell you how difficult it really is. Now imagine, if a little child has to go through this process, how he or she will deal with it. Probably, twelve year old Shriya Rao who makes her musical play debut this weekend with the ‘Strangers In The Night’ will give you some insight about it.
The little girl plays one of the most integral parts in the play which will also pay a tribute to some legendary jazz and pop artistes of the yesteryears. She plays the role of a girl called Ruby and has even rendered a couple of songs for the play. The play also marks the directorial debut of actor Shreyas Porus Pardiwalla who has appeared in popular Hindi films like ‘Yaariyan’ and ‘Sanam Re’.
Talking about his prodigy, Shreyas says, “Shriya is a bundle of talent. During the rehearsals, we realised she has no stage fright, something which is remarkable for a girl of her age. She plays a very interesting character in the musical. She will be singing a number of songs including ‘Thank You For The Music’ by Abba, ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ by Frank Sinatra and ‘Orange Colored Sky’ by Natalie Cole. Her character Ruby is very fun-loving, funky and feisty girl. She is very outspoken and boisterous. As a director, it feels so wonderful to direct a talented girl like her.”
‘Strangers In The Night, a musical directed by Shreyas Porus Pardiwalla is going to be staged on the 15th and the 16th September in the premises of the Bombay International School at Churchgate, Mumbai.