The theatre segment of Malayala Manorama Hortus, the festival of arts, literature, and culture, is set to come alive with 'Ubu Roi'—a theatrical experience that challenges conventions and invites audiences to rethink the boundaries of performance.

Directed by acclaimed theatre artist Deepan Sivaraman, the play will be staged at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, on November 28 and 29.

Originally written by French playwright Alfred Jarry in 1896, 'Ubu Roi' tells the story of a tyrant who seizes power and destroys democracy for personal gain. In Deepan’s reinterpretation, the audience becomes part of the performance itself, blurring the line between stage and spectator.

Deepan Sivaraman, founder and artistic director of the Oxygen Theatre Company (Thrissur) and the Delhi Performance Studies Collective, has been at the forefront of India’s contemporary theatre for nearly three decades. Over 28 years, he has directed around 70 productions, including 'Khasakkinte Ithihasam', 'Spinal Code', 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari', and 'Dark Things'—each celebrated for visual depth and experimental form.

The production of 'Ubu Roi' is presented by the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, Kovalam, in collaboration with Oxygen Theatre Company.

Watch 'Ubu Roi' Live
To experience 'Ubu Roi' at Hortus, scan the QR code below to register. The ticket fare is ₹199.

Hortus features three major cultural evenings — 'Yesudas Adarasandhya' (An Evening in Honour of Yesudas), 'Ubu Roi', and a live concert by Indian Ocean.

Those with premium registration for the Hortus Festival can attend any one of these events for free.