Theater Show: At The Edge by Jailoshini Naidoo

Good Storytelling: 3 / 5

Naidoo is quite a story teller. You can tell from the way, she a petite one, tries to slip into role of bulky men, old men, various shades of woman and does it effortlessly. The play is inspired from Ronnie Govender's book "At the Edge and other Cato Manor stories". The book won the Common Wealth Writers Award in 1998.
Naidoo is well known for her play 1949 where slips into the skin of 38 characters in one man show.

Here too, in "At the Edge" she plays quite a few characters, telling tales of hard times of brown people in South Africa in 1940's and 1950's. Her enthusiasm is infectious and one enjoys the play - as she herself becomes a part of the whole storytelling so that in the end, the good performance makes it a memorable watch. Reminds me of elaborate dramatic story telling that sometimes friends, grandparents do accompanied with mimicking. 

The play is directed by Sharupa Dutta, and has music by late Siva Devar.

The background, the display and the stage setting is quite impressive. Projection of photographs on large scale - impress and tend to leave impression - set the mood for the play to follow.

Naidoo in At the Edge (FICCI Auditorium)

The stories focus on hard work, discrimination, racism, and the hard times that these factors bring to everyday life.

The stories are sad, but bring back memories not so pleasant - and makes one treasure one's freedom.

Its a good solo act - with stories of everyday life, and struggle and heroism too of a common man.

Do watch it - if its playing anywhere around you. 

Theater Show: Pip Utton's Hitler (By Going Solo in India)

A Thinker's Play: 4 / 5

When I went to see this play, I knew nothing about it. I just knew that it talks about understanding how a nation allowed a man like Adolf Hitler to take control. So, I thought may be a bit of history and psychology. should be interesting... let's give it a try... blah blah...

But oh so! what I didn't expect was pure ingenuity at work. Had I known the format, may be I wouldn't have been so surprised by it. and therefore not as delighted as I am with it!

The play starts with a monologue (well.. it's a solo act play) by Hitler. Most of his thoughts - that are spoken on the stage - if you have been interested in Hitler and have read about him - then it would all be quite familiar. After 20 minutes  - I was thinking... Did I come to see this? An extempore...Whats wrong with theater these days... why do the audience think its great ... as I saw a lot of people giving loud laughs in first half - which I failed to understand - the words "marriage" and "mistress" comes and Delhi audience are laughing like its the most clever joke in the world.

Sincerely speaking Pip seemed too good natured to be Hitler. I know,  to an actor its not a compliment - but yes, he lacked the edginess of Hitler, or may be thats just the way I imagine Hitler to be. He was very good with the dialogues and delivery but I was in no mood to see a speech!

25 minutes later - no matter how good the speech was...
I was beginning to roll my eyes - when the things changed!!!!

Pip Utton in Adolf

What happened next was the actor taking off his mask... and I really don't want to say it all... but yes, becoming a Hitler in front of your eyes... in guileless, harmless persona of a man next door.

The beauty is you don't realize where he is headed. As an Indian - I felt a few parts were insulting. And I was wondering why an artist is talking the way he is.. but then ... then the penny dropped...I got the drift - and imagined am a British - and seeing the play - and then one gets into the rhythm...

He evolves into the character... smoothly seamlessly and the first act just falls into the block beautifully!
It tells you what a transition he has gone through and taken you along with him - (just think like a Brit for sometime to really feel it)

After this twist the play was quite good! I didn't expect what he did in last 2 minutes of it.
That raised the bar to whole new level.

The play makes you comfortable by its middle... gets you thinking towards its latter half... but towards its end - it educates you.
It tells you what you need to look out for and to avoid!
I am not using the lines though they ring in my ears.. the act, the words and the performance.

For it is to be seen and experienced.

The play looks simple - but is piece of art - where the audience are lulled into comfort, then made aware of their own dark side and naivety ... and then left with a good piece of advice and caution.

A sheer delight... am so glad I could make it! Catch it if its happening anywhere around you.

And last but not the least... it's not preachy...Utton does make it fun!