WEBLINKS
| |
The 麻豆官网首页入口 is not responsible for the content of external websites.
|
 |  | Site user Paul Bradley reviews EM Forster's
A Passage to India at Warwick Arts Centre
I am probably in a minority having not seen David Lean's Oscar award winning film, a Passage to India.
With the Shared Experience company receiving an array of rave reviews for it's production of EM Forster's classic, I was intrigued to find out why the Guardian and the Times had given it 4 and 5 stars respectively.
The story, set in a post World War 1 colonial India, centres on two characters, Aziz and Adela, who are trying to live their lives in challenging circumstances.
At the beginning, the audience is told the story of a boy who breaks into a prison and releases some prisoners only to get himself caught and lose his head.
Addressing the impact of colonialism
Two temples were built to commemorate the boy's endeavour, one built around his head and one around his body.
The Indian Aziz and British Adela come to symbolise the body and the head as their characters are driven by the heart and mind respectively.
| 听 |  | Carving on the Neasden Hindu temple in London
|
Aziz, the intelligent, handsome doctor, tries throughout the play to work within the boundaries of colonial rule only to be treated as another native by the British authorities.
Adela, the plain, na茂ve fianc茅e of Ronny, one of the local administrators struggles to enjoy the colonial life of visiting the club and playing polo.
She strives to meet the natives and see some of the real India. Adela and Aziz embark upon a troubling passage through the prejudiced difficulties of the time emphasised during Aziz's trial.
The production captures the affluent lifestyle of the British rulers and the dissatisfaction of the Indians very well.
In one poignant part Aziz, points out that whilst the Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims dislike each other it is nothing compared to the hatred held towards the British who rule their country.
Simple, yet brilliant stage design
Directed by Nancy Meckler, the production is quite dynamic with its dramatisation.
The play consists of numerous scene changes, ingeniously carried out through the simplicity of a back wall and a row of low tables.
Within the first act the basic set up was adapted to become a mosque, country house, cave, station, train, gardens with a fountain and a hospital.
| 听 |  | A scene from A Passage to India, the Oscar winning film by David Lean.
|
Spectacular jumbo
One particularly spectacular display saw some of the cast join together in an aerobic display to form an Elephant to carry Adela and Mrs Moore from the station and this was was quite outstanding.
Beautiful finale
This was then superseded with the extravant display of the closing festival.
The stage became a cornucopia of lights, colours and sounds. The dancing, fireworks and drums really provided the audience a taste of being there.
Throughout the play live music played by Chandru and Sirishkumar adds to the authenticity of the production.
Highly recommended
Whilst A Passage to India may not be one the most riveting tales of our times it does touch upon many themes that are as relevant today as they were 80 years ago.
I highly recommend that you see this production not just because of its clever dramatisation and stage sets but also due to quality acting from the cast.
The four and five star ratings were not over estimated.
A Passage to India is on at the Warwick Arts Centre until Saturday 26 October.
For booking information follow the link on the left to the Warwick Arts Centre website
|
