Kathmandu’s theatre circuit is slated to see the staging of two new plays starting this week: Ani Deurali Runchha, at Shilpee Theatre; and Saledo, at Mandala Theatre.

Playwright Manbahadur Mukiya’s play, Ani Deurali Runchha, was one of the defining plays of the Panchayat era. This drama, which was first staged in Darjeeling four decades ago, had travelled to Kalimpong, before finally arriving in Nepal.

Remembering those days, Mukiya, who is 70, says, “We staged this play four times in Nepal back then with the artists from Darjeeling. During those days, there were no other means of entertainment other than theatre. So theatre had a huge number of followers.”

After almost three decades, the play is now being resurrected—this time by young theatre artists of the Shilpee Theatre in Battisputali. Expressing his delight over the play’s reboot, Mukhiya said, “The young artists are staging the old play in a new way, to fit in to the new times. I am really excited to see the staging.”

Rehearsals for Ani Deurali Runchha is currently on full swing at the Shilpee Theatre, Battisputali . The play is being directed by Jiwan Baral. Baral expresses his excitement and nervousness over directing such a historic play: “Given that some of the audiences have already seen the previous version, it might be hard to meet their expectation but we are working on it.”

Baral added that it was the motif the drama revolves around which intrigued him to opt for the reboot.

Ani Deurali Runchha tells the story of how a selfish person’s whims may go on to affect the whole society, a story, Baral feels, “is relatable to all everywhere, anytime.”

The drama, slated to start staging from May 29, features Niraj Subedi, Loonibha Tuladhar, and Chandra Prasad Pandey in lead roles.

Meanwhile, Mandala Theatre is gearing up for the staging of Saledo, which is written by Sulakshan Bharati and directed by Sirjana Adhikari. The play, according to Bharati, explores the “interpersonal psychology in a noble way, probably different than any other play we have seen of late.”

The play’s title Saledo, translates to Light, and director Adhikari says the play is as mysterious as the title itself.

Saledo features actors Ankita Khadka, Kenipa Singh, and Anup Neupane in lead role, and will be on stage starting this May 26.