This weekend sees the premiere of yet another play written by the American playwright. The Guide finds out why LaBute's plots find their way on to Mumbai stage so often
This weekend sees the premiere of yet another play written by the American playwright. The Guide finds out why LaBute's plots find their way on to Mumbai stage so often
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| American playwright Neil LaBute |
On Sunday, a bunch of young theatre artistes will once again bring American playwright Neil LaBute's play titled, The Shape of Things to the stage. The same play made its Indian stage debut in 2007 by Akvarious Productions, a two decade-old theatre group. Barely three months ago, Rage Productions' One on One featured a piece from LaBute's Bash: Latter-Day Plays, and in September last year, QTP premiered LaBute's Some Girl(s).
Prior to that, in February 2009, Jillian Campana and Arvind Pandey performed The Mercy Seat, a play set in New York City one day after the 9/11 attack.
Mumbai theatrewallahs seem to have developed a strange affinity towards the 47 year-old playwright, who specialises in making the man-on-the-street his protagonist.
Special relationshipsMost of LaBute's plays are based on the man-woman relationship, set in a relatable yet unusual circumstances. The Shape of Things, for instance, explores the world of Adam, who has never had success with women, and Evelyn, an attractive graduate art student. Adam opts for an extreme makeover, one involving a drastic plastic surgery. He changes his physical appearance merely to express his love for Eve. But she has ulterior motives in striking a relationship with Adam.
Director Kushal Awasthi chooses to disregard the unsettling end of the play. "It's essentially a romantic story, one that always works with the audience. Plus, it's a fun play with a distinct plot that attracts the viewers," says the 22 year-old.
Relatable charactersLaBute represents an urban existence that isn't cocooned in the American ethos. His plays can be easily adapted since they focus on the microcosm of relationships rather than the world outside. City audiences find it easy to relate with LaBute's characters. "Adam is like any other guy, down-to-earth but unsuccessful at finding love. There are quite a few guys and girls who see themselves in a similar situation," says actor Aniel Saini, who plays Adam in the latest production.
Quasar Padamsee, producer of Some Girl(s) says LaBute's characters are not exactly "nice", but they are honest and have their little quirks. "They are fallible just like the audience members, which makes them easier to relate to. The simple and lucid writing also helps."
Success guaranteed?Here comes the paradox. LaBute might be popular with theatre groups but his plays don't necessarily guarantee success. Akarsh Khurana, who was associated with both, The Shape of Things and Some Girl(s), plays the devil's advocate.
"The Shape of Things received a mixed response. It's a romantic comedy with a dark twistu00a0-- this combination left the audience with sense of unease and even raised a debate." Similar emotion loomed strong among audiences after A Gaggle of Saints sequence from Bash was staged as part of One on One.u00a0
On the other hand, Some Girl(s) met with success probably because it was tamed during adaptation to make it more accessible to the audience.
It's safe to conclude that Mumbai theatre groups share a bittersweet chemistry with the American playwright's works. Why don't you drop by at the Bandra auditorium on Sunday, and decide LaBute's fate yourself?
On: July 11 at 7.30 pm
At: Rangsharda Auditorium, KC Marg, Reclamation, Bandra (W).
Call: 26430544
