On August 14 2025 at 7:30 PM Rangashankara will host a landmark devised theatre production "To Be or Not To Be" directed by Ranji David. Inspired by Shakespeare’s iconic Hamlet soliloquy the play transforms the timeless question of existence into a visceral visual experience that explores some of society’s deepest wounds.
In this ambitious abstract musical with minimal dialogue the lives of three individuals unfold in a city that never pauses — a city that pushes alienates and challenges the human spirit. Drawn from the lived experiences of its cast each story confronts a hard truth:
· A transgender man’s journey of self-realisation and transition while navigating the unyielding barriers of societal acceptance.
· A corporate woman’s fight against systemic gender bias and sexual harassment in an environment where progress still comes with prejudice.
· The silent grief of aging parents left behind as their children build lives abroad often never returning — even for final goodbyes.
Performed through physical metaphors and striking visual symbolism the production brings together 30 actors and 11 technical crew members who have collaboratively shaped the narrative over six months of devising. The result is a tapestry of movement music and emotion that transcends language.
"The play is not just about existence; it is about choice — to endure to change or to rise against. These are real stories drawn from the courage and pain of the people telling them. My hope is that audiences leave not just moved but awakened” says Ranji David who marks 25 years in theatre in 2025.
Known for his award-winning productions like Amrita Sher-Gil and MF Husain Ranji continues his signature style of blending abstract visual storytelling with raw human narratives. "To Be or Not To Be" expands this legacy into a powerful social mirror inviting the audience to reflect on their own choices silences and complicity.
Show Details:
Date: August 14 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Rangashankara Bengaluru
Director: Ranji David
Tickets available at [Rangashankara Box Office] or on Bookmyshow at https://in.bookmyshow.com/plays/to-be-or-not-to-be/ET00369530
Creative Team:
Assistant Directors: Luvena Rangel & Sanjay Singh | Light Execution: Aditya Kulkarni | Music Execution: Samkith | Props & Masks: Arjun M | Costume Design: Almas Kotadia | Sceneography: Anand Kumar | Projections: Rasheed Kappan
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Ranga Shankara, 36/2, 8th Cross Rd, R K Colony, 2nd Phase, J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560078, India, Bangalore
