Stage legend Sheema Kermani had a chat with Newsline yesterday about new theatre groups for our upcoming report on exciting new troupes Cogito Productions, Aisa Karogai Toh Kaun Ayega and Firefly Theatre.

But in the midst of discussing the future, she couldn’t help but be nostalgic about what once was: “Folk forms of theatre that existed in this region have [now] been destroyed. In my youth, I remember that the public would go to the circus and watch the Nautanki that would come to the cities, but all of that has been systematically destroyed. Unless we bring these arts back to the people and allow them to evolve their own forms, I do not think we can talk about the cultural development of our country.”

Do you have any memories from theatre groups from your youth? What traditions would you like to see these rising theatre groups incorporate?

Leave your thoughts in the comment forum below.

Also, look out for a discussion on the resurgence of young, accessible theatre groups in the September issue of Newsline.