The Mind Creative
As a performance on stage unfolds, the audience is carried away
into a realm of fantasy, cocooned in a shell of sheer artistry, finesse
and elegance. Be it a presentation of music, dance, or acting, the
performer takes the audience into a journey; a memory that the
audience carries away, long after the performance culminates.
However, in order to attain this level of flawless perfection, one
needs an immense amount of hard work and tireless hours of
preparation.
As a person who has spent over three decades performing on
stage, I feel that the artist is often in a totally different frame of
mind on and off stage; especially just before the performance
commences. The mad rush backstage is a total contrast to the
collected, calm and controlled performer that the audience sees;
which is not uncommon in theatre or dance performances. This is
possibly because a theatrical or dance production involves usage
of stage properties and costumes in abundance. The hyper activity
(behind the scenes) arises from the occasional changes of
costumes or properties that are used on stage, which have to be
in proper place within a stipulated period of time.
Often, the performers are barely
able to make it in time! In my
opinion, the harder act probably is
to put up a pleasant countenance
on stage, having had to go through
a possible race against time back
stage to be able to land on stage in
the right attire and gear! Very often
such circumstances lead to comical
situations back stage. And many a
times, these situations spill over on
to the stage itself, and then it takes
all the skill and quick thinking of
the performer to carry on with the
show!
I recall several such situations, of
which I will narrate few.
47