Hyderabad theatre fest ‘Xpressions 26’ to break proscenium barrier with immersive lineup

Hyderabad: Shudrka Hyderabad’s multilingual theatre festival Xpressions 26 is set to challenge how theatre is traditionally seen and experienced in the city, with a focus on immersive and boundary-breaking performance.

Running from June 5 to 7 at Rangbhoomi Spaces, the three-day festival adopts the theme ‘Breaking the Frame: Proscenium and Beyond.’ The lineup includes performances, seminars, workshops, and masterclasses.

“The festival celebrates diverse theatrical practices and encourages dialogue between artists and audiences,” said Swapan Mondal, founder-director of Shudrka Hyderabad.

Launched in 2023, Xpressions 26 marks its fourth year with an approach that seeks to physically integrate audiences into the action. Mondal said the focus on immersion reflects a growing movement in contemporary theatre to challenge conventional stage-audience relationships and explore new forms of performance.

The festival will feature multilingual productions and practitioner-led sessions aimed at both theatre professionals and the public.