By Ujwala Siddapur for BIS Mumbai

Don Bosco Lonavla’s young actors turn a school stage into a sharp examination of an age-old dream as they performed dramatic plays asking-can a perfect world ever remain truly human?

This was the question that took center stage at Don Bosco School, Lonavla, where students transformed a routine inter-house dramatics competition into a compelling exploration of Utopia-the dream of a flawless society, on October 5, 2026, challenging the peer-audiences to look beyond the allure of perfection and consider its hidden costs.

Against a backdrop carrying the phrase-Willing Suspension of Disbelief, four houses presented original productions that examined contrasting visions of an ideal world. The performances moved beyond fantasy, probing issues of freedom, conformity, identity and social harmony.

Yellow House opened with The Newspaper from Dream India, while Blue House staged The Museum of Imperfection, a thought-provoking defence of human flaws. Red House presented The Safety Vault, and Green House concluded with Bloom, offering its own interpretation of a perfected society.

Months of planning lay behind the performances. Student leaders developed scripts under the guidance of teachers, with participation drawn from Classes V to XII. The result was a collaborative effort that brought together creativity, discipline and teamwork across age groups.

The judging panel comprising entrepreneur Rosette Aidasani, educator Chandni Kotak and alumnus Fr Jeswin Mastan, praised the students’ commitment, characterisation and stagecraft. They highlighted the performers’ ability to translate a complex philosophical theme into engaging and accessible theatre.

Blue House emerged as the overall winner, with Green House finishing second. Shaun Joshi of Green House received the Best Male Actor award, while Arya Dhule was named Best Female Actor.

More than a competition, the event was a reminder that theatre is at its strongest when it asks difficult questions. In a world increasingly obsessed with perfection, these young performers offered a timely reflection: perhaps it is our imperfections that make us human.