Most plays in Chennai are staged in a handful of sabha auditoriums in Alwarpet and Mylapore, with Narada Gana Sabha in Alwarpet and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Mylapore among the busiest. Tamil troupes and English groups share the same halls, and smaller rooms such as the Alliance Française auditorium in Nungambakkam take more experimental work.
Shows are rarely advertised widely, so knowing the venues and the groups is the best way to find them. Here is where to look.
The main venues
Narada Gana Sabha, Alwarpet
The sabha’s main auditorium is one of the city’s most used stages for both Tamil and English plays. It hosted the World Theatre Day showcase on 27 March 2025, when Tamil troupes including those of Y.G. Mahendra, S.V. Shekhar and Kathadi Ramamurthy presented excerpts of popular plays, according to Mylapore Times. The Madras Players have also staged recent productions there.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore
The Bhavan holds regular drama festivals in its main auditorium. Its Tamizh Theatre Festival ran from 14 to 17 July 2026, with plays at 6.45 pm each evening by groups including UAA, KNT and ThRee Entertains, and was open to all, Mylapore Times reported.
Alliance Française of Madras, Nungambakkam
The Édouard Michelin Auditorium at 24 College Road is air-conditioned and seats 160, with 120 chairs and 40 places on floor cushions, according to the Alliance Française. It has professional sound and lighting and suits solo shows, small plays and readings. Phone: 044 2827 9803.
Museum Theatre, Egmore
The theatre on the Government Museum campus on Pantheon Road was built by the British in 1896, modelled on the Globe Theatre of the time, according to the Government Museum. MAP Academy describes its style as Indo-Islamic. The museum does not publish current booking terms for it, so check with the museum office (044 2819 3238) about what is on.
Other stages
Vani Mahal and the Presidency Club have hosted Madras Players productions in 2025, according to the group.
Groups to follow
- The Madras Players: founded in 1955, it calls itself India’s oldest English theatre group and lists more than 300 productions, according to its website. It began with Shakespeare and Western classics and later moved to Indian writing. Its 2026 work has included To Kill a Mockingbird in March and an adaptation of Hema Sukumar’s novel Minor Disturbances at Grand Life Apartments. Next up is Slaves by Sujatha, at Narada Gana Sabha on Saturday 24 October 2026.
- Tamil sabha troupes: long-running companies led by figures such as Y.G. Mahendra, S.V. Shekhar and Kathadi Ramamurthy stage comedies and social dramas across the sabha circuit.
- Newer Tamil groups such as UAA, KNT and ThRee Entertains appear at festivals like the Bhavan’s.
- Other city companies such as Shraddha Theatres and the Dummies were among those at the 2025 World Theatre Day event.
How to find shows
- Follow the groups directly. The Madras Players sell tickets through mdnd.in and list inquiry numbers (+91 93819 11977) on their site.
- Read local listings. Neighbourhood papers such as Mylapore Times publish sabha drama festivals and free events every week.
- Watch the festival calendar. World Theatre Day (27 March) has brought showcase events, and the Bhavan runs drama festivals such as its July Tamil theatre week.
- Ask at the venue. Sabha offices can tell you what is booked in their halls for the coming weeks.
Getting involved
Most of the city’s theatre is amateur, made by people with day jobs. The Madras Players describe themselves as amateur and say they have kept going despite money troubles. They invite support in three ways on their site: sponsorship, which is eligible for tax deduction under Section 80G; help in finding rehearsal space; and volunteering as a production manager. Watching a few shows and talking to the cast afterwards is the usual way in.
Studying theatre
The state music and fine arts university in R.A. Puram runs a two-year Master of Theatre Arts. For 2026-27 it asked for any degree with 50% marks plus basic knowledge of music, dance or the visual arts, with fees of Rs 25,000 a year, according to its application form. There is no upper age limit.
Quick answers
Where are English plays staged in Chennai?
Mostly at sabha halls such as Narada Gana Sabha, and at smaller venues like the Alliance Française auditorium.
How do I book tickets for a Madras Players show?
Through the “Buy Tickets” link on the group’s site, which goes to mdnd.in.
Are any plays free?
Some festivals are open to all, including the Bhavan’s July 2026 Tamil theatre festival and the 2025 World Theatre Day showcase.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- The Madras Players (official site)
- Cultural spaces (Alliance Francaise of Madras)
- Government Museum Chennai (official site)
- Egmore Museum Theatre (MAP Academy)
- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s drama fest, July 14 to 17 (Mylapore Times)
- City theatre groups to present excerpts of their popular plays (Mylapore Times)
- Master of Theatre Arts application 2026-27 (TN Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University)
