Dilip Guha, New Delhi : Aadyam Theatre staged the premiere show of the play “The Horse” on 6th September 2025 at the Kamani Auditorium, Delhi. The play An Arpana Theatre Production, directed by the illustrious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award-winner Sunil Shanbag, marked a triumphant close to its seventh season of Aadyam Theatre.
This razor-sharp comedy, adapted from Hungarian playwright Julius Hay’s absurdist satire, reimagines Emperor Caligula’s Rome as a chaotic playground of eroded institutions, blind sycophancy, and theatrical madness. Shanbag’s full-throttle production delivers biting humour and bold staging, offering a timely reflection on today’s celebrity obsession and political spectacle. As the final act in a season that featured thrillers, musicals, and masterful adaptations, The Horse stands out as a brilliant, irreverent conclusion that honours its European roots while speaking directly to contemporary audiences. The Horse is a brilliantly absurd political satire set in first-century Rome, where the lines between power and madness blur into a hilarious spectacle. Adapted from Hungarian playwright Julius Hay’s work, and translated by Peter Hay, the play centers on Emperor Caligula’s reign—a world where everyone dutifully echoes “Yes, sir, of course, sir,” no matter how irrational the command. Into this chaos steps Selanus, a young man with sharp ambition and a handsome horse named Incitatus. When Caligula whimsically elevates Incitatus to political prominence, even considering him for consul, the Roman elite scramble to accommodate the emperor’s delusions, treating the horse as a symbol of divine favor.
Selanus, caught between opportunism and disbelief, rides this wave of absurdity to climb the social ladder, only to find himself entangled in a tragicomic spiral of spectacle and sycophancy. Through its witty dialogue and surreal scenarios, The Horse skewers authoritarian rule, herd mentality, and the dangerous allure of unchecked ambition, offering audiences a laugh-out-loud yet unsettling reflection on the circus of power. A fateful game of dice is won. A horse race has unexpected consequences. A beautiful young lady finds herself in an unusual marriage. And the city descends into paranoia, chaos, and spectacular stupidity.
The play takes aim at celebrity culture, unchecked ambition, and the erosion of public institutions, and the actor is clearly impressed by the text. Neil Bhoopalam plays Selenus, a young lad who comes to Rome with his horse, marking the beginning of a series of events that threaten to upend the Roman order. Neil Bhoopalam is one of those actors who has always managed to make his presence felt on stage. Neil expressed his admiration for the play’s text. He shared that he was deeply impressed by playwright Julius Hay’s ability to evoke a moment from Roman civilisation and reimagine it as sharp comic satire. Neil noted that comedy remains one of his strongest artistic inclinations on stage, and this work reaffirmed that passion.
Exquisitely Designed Sets and Carefully Curated Wardrobe
Aadyam Theatre had consistently aimed to deliver an immersive and authentic experience for its audiences, and this season’s productions stood out for their richly detailed sets and thoughtfully curated costumes. Among them, The Horse emerged as a visual triumph. Directed by Sunil Shanbag—renowned for his meticulous and inventive approach to theatre—the play recreated ancient Rome with striking precision. Shanbag had enlisted the expertise of acclaimed production designer Kushal Mahant, who transformed the stage into a Roman court that balanced imperial grandeur with theatrical flair. The cast seamlessly embodied aristocrats, courtiers, and citizens, thanks to Marvin D’Souza’s elegant period costumes. His tunics, togas, and stolas captured the essence of Roman style, lending the performance both historical authenticity and visual sophistication.
A Sonic Odyssey
Music had played a vital role throughout the 7th season, whether in Chandni Raatein, which explored love and longing through melody, or Mumbai Star, which used rhythm to chart Dev’s emotional journey. In The Horse, Sunil Shanbag extended this sonic tradition by weaving music and dance into the fabric of Roman absurdity. The production embraced musical satire, turning scenes of love, chaos, and blind allegiance into comic set pieces that amplified the play’s irreverent tone. Lyrics by celebrated voice artist and lyricist Asif Ali Beg, paired with Kaizad Gherda’s dynamic compositions, added layers of irony and theatricality, making the madness of Caligula’s Rome not just palpable—but rhythmically unforgettable. Overall, The Horse gallops through history with biting humour, bold staging, and a wicked commentary on power, made for fans of theatre who like their plays intelligent, subversive, and fully unhinged.
The Horse, featuring a talented crew and skilled technicians, showcases an impressive cast of actors. At the forefront is Akash Khurana’s unpredictable portrayal of Caligula, complemented by Neil Bhoopalam’s youthful Selanus. The ensemble includes some of India’s most versatile stage actors, such as Harssh Singh, Rajat Kaul, Rozzlin Pereira, Deesh Mariwala, Radhika Sawhney, Garima Yajnik, Asmit Pathare, Digvijay Sawant, Kaustubh Harit, Navi Khan, Tanay Malhara, Mayuri Ravindra, Shubhashree Sahoo, Shreya Sandilya, Prerna Joshi, Shristi Sharma, Divyesh Vijaykar, Rahul Kumar, and more, bringing to life the courtiers, schemers, and lovers to vivid life.
Aadyam Theatre’s 7th season was a fantastic success! This initiative by the Aditya Birla Group aims to develop and strengthen the theatre scene in India. This season has featured a diverse lineup of plays and unique experiences, with a programming arc that highlights bold storytelling formats. The audience was taken on a captivating journey through edge-of-the-seat thrillers like Saanp Seedhi to exuberant dance musicals such as Mumbai Star. Concluding the season with The Horse, an adaptation of a scathing satire into a musical comedy, was the ideal celebration of the seventh season, characterized by creative innovation. This play marks the final performance of the season, ending on a humorous note.
