Final preparations under way for International Theatre Festival of Kerala in Thrissur

With just a few days remaining for the curtain to rise, preparations for the International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFoK) have entered their final phase. Organised by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, the festival will be held from January 25 to February 1.

For the past several months, backstage teams have been working round the clock on the akademi campus, meticulously crafting elaborate stage settings for the productions to be showcased at the festival.

This year’s ITFoK will feature 23 plays, three of which demand especially large and complex stage constructions. Armenian production Dumpling has been designed with a stage set inspired by an ancient balcony structure. Agarbathi, a play from Madhya Pradesh, requires an intricate set that recreates both a factory and a residential space. Meanwhile, Assamese production Khulang Burhi makes extensive use of bamboo structures and indigenous materials, powerfully reflecting the depth of tribal culture.

Emphasising the effort involved in such large-scale stagecraft, ITFoK scenographer and artist Sujathan said creating massive stage structures requires a careful balance of craftsmanship and technical–creative excellence. “Such work becomes possible only when technical staff, carpenters, and welding workers come together with a shared sense of commitment,” he said.

Importance of stage elements

He also underlined the importance of stage elements in theatre, noting that stage settings and props are as crucial as the actors themselves and therefore demand extreme care and precision in their construction.

ITFoK technical director Raji Prasad highlighted the challenges involved in sourcing materials for the Assamese production. “Finding the specific type of bamboo and other indigenous tribal materials required for Khulang Burhi was particularly difficult,” he said.

Meanwhile, foreign theatre troupes participating in the festival will start arriving at the akademi from Friday. The first to arrive will be the backstage crew of Romeo and Juliet from Denmark, which is scheduled to be staged on the opening day.

A total of 23 theatre troupes, including nine international groups, will participate in this year’s ITFoK, bringing together a rich diversity of theatrical traditions from India and abroad.