The cast of Fever Dream
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The climate crisis only seems to be worsening as time goes by, and bringing this crisis to life by way of a satirical drama is Tafreehwale, a Mumbai-based theatre company. Titled Fever Dream, the play follows Viren, Shree, and Deepak who pitch an innovation on a tech talent show. A collaboration with environmental and social justice start-up Asar Social Impact Advisors and Climate Culture Collective, the play sees the trio pitching ‘Cool Pods’ that can make the world ‘a better, cooler place’ and the challenges they face along the way.
A snapshot of the rehearsal
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Meghana AT, the play’s director and founder of Tafreehwale, says it was earlier this year when Brikesh Singh from Asar approached her, asking if she could script a play about rising temperatures. “I jumped at the opportunity.”
Most of us, the 29-year-old theatre artiste says, engage with climate through a factual/news-based lens. “We read of floods, drought, extreme temperature, and sometimes even experience it ourselves. However, the climate crisis is still largely seen as a future issue, or one that affects others, not us.”
The team’s intention was to create a play, Meghana says, “that can help people see themselves as deeply implicated in the climate crisis, but also as a key part of the climate solution”.
She explains how making theatre is always a process of putting out 100 fires. “An apt metaphor for a play about the climate. The biggest challenge, however, was the script, as we were determined to balance the informational load with the entertainment and storytelling that is at the core of the story.”
It was important for Meghana to underline the seriousness of rising temperatures while keeping the tone of the play light and satirical. “I strongly believe that the playfulness of the tone can allow us to engage more deeply with difficult topics, and I hope we have struck that balance.”
A snapshot of the rehearsal
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
While this play is being staged in Bengaluru for now, the team has plans to take it to other cities. “The play is set in a reality TV show, making it a space we are all somewhat familiar with. The challenges the characters face are ubiquitous across our country: of balancing the old and the new, of being prepared for incoming hot days, of attempting to make something of oneself, of trying to create something new. We think this story is deeply relatable and we hope to travel far with it.”
On October 17 at Bangalore International Centre, Domlur, and on October 18 at Courtyard Koota, Kengeri. Tickets on in.bookmyshow.com
Published – October 15, 2025 11:06 am IST
