After dealing with themes ranging from government controls to communal harmony, the Mustard Seed Art Company is now all set to present a play highlighting the issues of the elderly
The world today mostly caters to the wants and tastes of the youth. From politics to society and entertainment, the youth and the working citizens are at the centre of attention. But the kind of attention that is paid to the dreams and the issues of the youth is not always bestowed upon the elderly and their problems.
This was the concern that drew The Mustard Seed Art Company to create a play about the elderly and ‘When the Day was Young’ took shape.
“The way we treat the old reveals our values,” says Isabel Santa Rita Vaz, the writer and director of the play. “The way elders are treated in some cases reflects a lack of compassion and gratitude.”
The Mustard Seed Art Company founded in 1987 has so far put on over 60 plays dealing with various themes ranging from violence, government controls, to communal harmony. “This is our 66th play,” Vaz informs. “The story is set in a home for the elderly. There are some new entrants in the home and they have a difference of opinion with the management of the institution.”
Reflecting on why the elderly are left to spend their last days in old-age homes, Vaz says, “Many a times, children really want to care for their parents, but they are far away and can’t really do much.” However, Vaz who visited a number of old aged homes around Goa is not too impressed by them.
“I noticed that they are rather cold and pathetic institutions. Many also need better facilities. There are not many good retirement homes in Goa, and the old aged homes run by the government are particularly bad.”
And while television and online videos today are popular means of getting across messages today, Vaz believes that conveying the message through theatre is unique. “It is live, and financially less burdensome. It has roots in the community and is a great experience. Also, there are things you can do in theatre that you can’t do with any other medium,” says the dramatist, adding that English plays are finding a good audience.“We do not use British English. We use the English that Goan speak in their day-today-lives, and we work mostly with local themes,” she further adds.
A vibrant presence of different types of theatre in Goa is a culturally enriching opportunity, says Vaz. “ We started a group called Playfools where theatre artists from different genres meet once in a while to explore each other’s fields.”
(`When the Day Was Young’ will be staged on February 24, 6 pm at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao and on February 26, 6.45 pm at Sunaparanta– Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho)
