The theatre lovers of the Capital, especially children, who are enjoying the summer vacation, are in for a treat. The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, a Delhi Government undertaking, is holding its first Children’s Theatre Festival in collaboration with National School of Drama.

The seven-day fest was inaugurated yesterday by Niharika Rai, Managing Director and CEO of DTTDC. While the plays will be staged till June 24, on June 25 there will be a demonstration by children attending a workshop which is being held along with the festival.

The inaugural play “Do Aam” written by Kaka Saheb Kelkar and directed by Lokendra Trivedi, was viewed by a large audience.

Sharing the aim of the festival with India Narrative, Rai said: “The main objective of this festival is to give an opportunity to children to develop their hidden talent through workshops and plays while the school summer vacation is going on.”

Elaborating on how performing in a play helps a child, she added that it develops focus of mind, body and voice. “Acting enhances verbal and non-verbal expression of ideas while improving voice projection, articulation of words and fluency with language,” she observed.

The other plays that will be staged are “Warren Hastings Ka Saand” directed by Rajesh Bakshi and written by Uday Prakash (June 20); “Tantiya Mama” helmed by Hafeez Khan and written by Iwan Khan (June 21); “Dhin Chek Pom Pom Posh” directed by Rajneesh Bisht (June 22); “Ulgulan” directed by Rohit Tripathi and written by Ajay Malkani (June 23); and “Dak Ghar” directed by Himmat Singh and written by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore (June 24).

Theatre workshops which started on June 15 have children from eight to 16 years attending it.

On the last day Atishi Singh, Minister of Tourism, Delhi Government will be the chief guest.

The plays will be staged at Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, near Rajghat, 6.30 p.m. onwards.

Also read: Play on Birsa Munda staged by children showcases valour of freedom fighter