Bengaluru’s International Theatre Festival 2013 For Kids

It’s quirky, it’s unique, it’s entertaining and educative. And the best part – it welcomes children of all ages from toddlers of 20 months to kids as old as 12 years. AHA! Isn’t that your involuntary response? Ironically this also happens to be the name of one of the most fascinating and novel theatre festivals in the country. The AHA! International Theatre Festival, organised by Rangashankara will be held from July 5 to 13 2013 in Bengaluru. With theatre groups from across the world participating in the event, it promises to be a great learning experience for kids, while providing them with a lot of entertainment.

Catch the young actors in action at the AHA! International Theatre Festival. Photo Credit: John Groseclose / wikimedia

All the World’s a Stage

The festival is organised by Rangashankara, an excellent theatre facility in Bengaluru, which not only brings international theatre to the city, but also organises workshops. In addition, it produces and commissions unique and innovative theatrical ideas and is committed to spreading theatre culture among the Indian youth. The festival is an annual event and has proved to be quite successful over the past years. One can expect plenty of high quality performances with storylines picked up from local and international legends and tales, mythologies and epics such as the Mahabharata. In the past, children have enjoyed plays from countries such as Germany, Argentina, and Australia besides Indian drama troupes.

Lights, Camera, Drama

While kids can expect a lot of drama, there will be a variety of other related activities to keep participants busy for the ten-odd days. These will include storytelling, theatre workshops, Yakshagana performances, discussions and forums and of course plays. There are usually two performances in a day – one exclusively for children and the other that is open to the general public, held later in the evening. Over the years, this festival has staged a number of interesting plays including Minor Matters, Robinson Crusoe, A King’s Journey, Garbage Mouse, The Stone and Pirates Code. Rangashankara is also open to taking performances to individual schools so as to spread the joys of theatre to as many children as possible.

Interact with the friendly animals at Bannerghata National Park and Zoo. Photo Credit: mynameisharsha / flickr

Bengaluru for Kids

While Rangashankara is already associated with nearly 1500 children every month, it isn’t enough for youngsters and their high energy levels. If you’re new to the city or plain wondering what to do with your kid when they’re free, here are five other places in and around Bengaluru you can go to together with your children:

1. Cubbon Park – a great experience for kids with its train rides, playgrounds, swings as well as an aquarium close by.

2. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium – while being a great experience it is also an excellent learning opportunity for kids.

3. Bookstores – such as Oxford and Crossword, which have exclusive sections for children who usually love perusing the wonderful books and educative CDs that are stacked up in plenty.

4. Hippocamus Library – enroll your young ones for summer camps and weekend activities for kids.

5. Bannerghata National Park and Zoo – a great opportunity for kids to view wildlife, including tigers, lions and a butterfly park.

Those heading to Bengaluru can easily book flights and hotels on MakeMyTrip.com.