These theatrical productions have not only influenced my life as a theatre artiste but also as a person
When I was nine years old, my mother took me to the Edinburgh Playhouse to see a large-scale musical for the first time. I had always enjoyed them since a very young age but had no idea of what was about to unfold. During this production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, I was completely transfixed. The music, the actors, the lights, the sets, the whole experience of being in a packed theatre was magical. One thing I still remember strongly is not wanting to be the character; I wanted to be the performer.
In a polarised world such as ours, art and culture are crucial to inculcating a sense of community and connection, and theatre does that wonderfully. It is a collective experience which provides a holistic celebration of other art forms including dance, music, poetry, painting, drama, and comedy. Throughout my career, I have worn many hats, both on- and off- stage, starting with acting to then directing, backstage, production and now the great privilege of being the Head of Theatre and Films at a renowned arts centre of international repute. My passion for storytelling has never waned. I am excited by the familiar and the new. The most exciting part of my job, besides working with actors on a show, is experiencing stories that are truthful, captivating and utterly immersive. While most of my theatrical expeditions have been in London and now in India, I have travelled to other countries for work, and watched several plays which have left a long-lasting impact. I cannot choose a ‘top five’ as such, but here are five theatrical productions which influenced my life not just as a theatre artiste but as a person.
Black Watch – National Theatre of Scotland – St Anne’s Warehouse, New York City
Written by Gregory Burke and directed by John Tiffany with movement by Frantic Assembly Co-Founder, Steven Hoggett, the show is based on ‘The Royal Highlanders’ returning from Iraq. The critically acclaimed play reveals what it means to be a part of the Scottish regiment of the British Army, and undergo the terror of war and the unparalleled joy of making a journey home. In addition to the applaudable craftmanship of the production, this piece of art holds a special place in my heart as one of my closest friends played a leading role. Popular demand led to continuous, houseful shows in the UK and as a matter of fact, although I was based in London, I watched the show for the first time during its tour in New York.
What stood out for me was its incredible choreography and movement with soulfully rich music that made the theatrical experience up, close and personal. The historical depiction of political warfare with a raw display of the soldiers’ emotions was a soul-shaking reality check, which we may not have been prepared for. It is undoubtedly one of the game-changers of the global theatrical landscape.
The Cherry Orchard – Gorki Theatre Company, Berlin
The last play written by Russian playwright, Anton Chekhov, is an ideal comedy and satire that unleashes the underlying tragedy. The play paints the picture of Russia in the beginning of the 20th century during a shifting social climate wherein aristocrats and landlords were losing their wealth and as a result, dealing with a tragic coping mechanism. I remember watching the show in Berlin when I travelled for research for my upcoming project, and the imprint the play left on me is indelible. Be it the expanse of space that led to the dramatic use of the wall or the vigorous ripping of the wallpaper as an act of outrage, the scene work across the entire play held the audience’s attention.
Most of the theatre productions that resonated with me are the ones that made me think and feel at the same time, and Cherry Orchard is a triumph of such a burst of thoughts and emotions. Pretty much like the food, the play offers a strong palette of emotional flavours ranging from awkward, nervous laughter to tragic frustration to the outpouring of anger, taking the cast and the audience on an unprecedented rollercoaster.
Piya Behrupiya – The Company Theatre – Shakespeare’s Globe, London
Atul Kumar’s Piya Behrupiya became a cultural phenomenon, and was one of the most celebrated Indian theatrical productions that witnessed packed halls across Indian cities and the globe. An adaptation of William Shakespeare’s iconic Twelfth Night, Piya Behrupiya was an example of remarkable storytelling in the North Indian folk form of nautanki. It premiered at the ‘Globe to Globe Festival’ in London during the 2012 Olympics but I am glad that I also got to watch it with the audience here in India during its Mumbai run. I personally believe that there’s great potential in Indian regional theatre, which we continue to promote here at the NCPA. Piya Behrupiya is one of the most inspiring adaptations that so beautifully upheld its India DNA while respecting the original Shakespearean storyline. It is one of those rare plays which made me feel all kinds of emotions as an audience and helped me gain several insights as a creator.
Hamilton – Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York City
Hamilton is a true game-changer. Rent or Les Misérables could easily have been on this list, but Hamilton changed me. A musical that depicts the story of America’s founding father, Alexander Hamilton, who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the revolutionary war. The show does speak to the audience on many levels, and imbibes a certain sense of community gathering to fight for a common cause and celebrating the fundamental essence of freedom. The play sheds light on the plight and fight of common men with hope as their only sword which resonates deeply with the audiences. It is a beautiful amalgamation of theatrical elements including drama, romance, comedy and tragedy that sings the story of America’s birth. The interesting use of emerging forms of rap and hip-hop along with elements of traditional musical theatre make it stand out in comparison to other contemporary productions.
The buzz and excitement in the audience was so palpable. From the moment Lin-Manuel Miranda turns to the audience to tell us his name, we are hooked, and ready to be in the room where it happens. It is one of those shows which you never thought that you needed but now that you have it, you can’t live without it.
A View from the Bridge – Young Vic Theatre, London
Arthur Miller was one of the greatest playwrights of the twentieth century. This raw play is an eye-opener to the world of obsession, love and jealousy. The play has classical Greek influence and categorises as a tragedy. This production, directed by Ivo Van Hove, is uniquely supported by an exposed nature of the set which takes us to an Italian American neighbourhood on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge. It delves into the justice systems of modern America, and weighs the rules of natural law versus the written law.
The lens of the play focuses on the deeper aspects of human emotions, especially that of jealousy and pride. The protagonist’s journey dictated by his own emotions and coloured by his stubbornness, leads him to his own fatal ending. Although violent, the show concludes on a poignant note again making the audience question outer and inner conflicts. The use of symbolism makes the show what it is, and portrays underlying meanings to a singular thematic projection.
Mark Strong’s performance holds the play together throughout, with an intense and tortured journey that grips and overwhelms the audience. It is one of Miller’s great plays, but what Van Hove did with it has elevated it to iconic status as a play that explores the frustrations of our limitations from the perspective of a working-class man past his prime.
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