Epicentre returns, looks to begin a second innings

GURUGRAM: This weekend, an old city haunt is staging a performance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It’s time to welcome back Apparel House (previously known as Epicentre).
But hold the applause, for it will be a while before this venue becomes the magnet it once was (as much for those watching as for those performing).

For nine years, Epicentre gave Gurugram’s residents, many of them migrants enticed here by the prospect of a well-paying job and a good life, the promise of at least one arts-based event, traditional or contemporary, a day. The auditorium, exhibition hall and amphitheatre had been given to Old World Hospitality to run, on a nine-year lease, but owners Apparel Export Promotion Council seemed in no hurry to find new management, after the lease expired in January 2017.

Initially, the new bosses are hoping to organise a show or two every week as they reach out to old patrons, whose embrace of this Sector-44 location led it to being adopted as the city’s cultural hub.

Incidentally, Apparel House will now be marketed by F&B outfit SRS Group. According to Mukesh Kumar – general manager, SRS Group – sanction for resumption of programmes at Apparel House was given in May. “We’re restarting activities here one by one,” Mukesh told TOI. “We’ve started approaching theatre artistes and other performers, those who had earlier performed here.”

Sarthak Kumar, who runs Brahmanaad, a city school of tabla, believes the closing down of Epicentre froze out room for the arts in Gurugram. For, artistes need a creative outlet, a stage to perform.

“The reopening gives me hope that I can get my boys to perform here again, and allow them to show their talents in front of an audience, which only helps build up their confidence,” shared Sarthak, who will be back here with his students in December.

Epicentre’s growing value to Gurugrammers mirrored Gurugram’s rise as an economic powerhouse. Because a city cannot thrive without cultural diversions. “We would always regard Epicentre as a centre for culture, because it was the only place in town that was accessible to the public,” Sarthak adds.

Standup comedy will likely play a key part in Apparel House’s schedule. But also on the cards is one (at the most two) plays every month, and the occasional ghazal night or Sufi evening. A Christmas carnival is also in the offing. “Musical events will be free of cost but standup and theatre will be on a ticketed basis,” reveals Mukesh.

And while basic renovation of the auditorium has been carried out, a change in look, Mukesh adds, will take a few more months to complete. So, more quiet return, less ‘back with a bang’.