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Young actors perform during the annual play of the Dimapur-based Hope Academy that was staged on Dec. 17.[/caption]
Dimapur, Dec. 17: A much-awaited annual play in the calendar of the Dimapur-based school, Hope Academy, started on Monday with a message to parents to guide their children to exploring new opportunities.
While speaking as a guest of honour at the programme, the executive director of Savannah College of Art and Design Maken Imcha Payne, emphasised on the need to push children to explore more and to not be satisfied with the ‘normal.’
The Dec. 17 event was conducted with the slogan ‘Centre stage.’ It was loosely based on a 2016 animated movie written by Garth Jennings. The intention was to closely follow the plot of the movie. However, as the play unfolded, it showed a glimpse of the traditions of the Naga people, which itself was unique and different.
Unlike other plays that had been brought to the audience over the years, the play this time had a special motive. It was special not because the script was original, but because it had something based on Nagaland and the Naga people. The settings, theme, and the issues and problems faced by the characters in the play were matter which the Nagas would find it easy to relate to. The play had even incorporated local parlances in certain parts to bring in that so-called ‘Naga-ness.’
If the play was to be summarised into one specific answer, it was about the Nagas. It had something for everyone, and it had some elements that could be taken home. Watching the play was looking into the different characters, which felt like viewing a mirror—praising, judging, and even criticising the Naga people to some extent.
The characters of Tom, Martin, David, Abhay, and Susan, among others spoke of their musical journey and struggling to fulfil their dreams and ambitions.