Adapted by Christopher Sergel, the play is being staged for the first time in India. (Supplied)
Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird is one that most of us have read in high school. And those who have read it would know how the story isn’t forgettable.
It’s no different for Bengaluru-based theatre-maker Tahera, who is now set to stage an adaptation of the iconic coming-of-age novel in the city.
“I remember reading this book as a kid and the impact it had in my life. The story has stayed with me all these years. It’s a very moving story with evocative scenes and dialogues. So getting a chance to direct this play is very special,” shares Tahera, who calls this her most ambitious project yet.
The play, adapted by Christopher Sergel, is set in 1930s America in a fictional town named Maycomb.
For the uninitiated, the story revolves around Scout Finch, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus. Atticus is a lawyer who defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman.
The story delves into the children’s observations of racial prejudice, moral dilemmas, and societal norms. Through Scout’s coming-of-age perspective, the story examines the complexities of innocence, injustice, and the human capacity for compassion.
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Lasting two and a half hours, the play presented by city-based Arena Theatre Productions will be staged for the first time in India.
Shares Tahera, “It comes as a surprise but no one has stages this play in India before. I have been looking for the perfect script for a play for a while now. Recently this play was staged in London. As soon as we came to know, we acquired the license to stage the adaptation here.”
Initially the group had planned to adapt the script to an Indian setting. However, upon considering the relevance of the play, they decided against it.
“We decided to use the script as is because it’s so iconic and the topics discussed are still relevant. The references may be different but the underlying sentiment in the story is the same everywhere. Here in the play, you see every big question answered in a child’s perspective. A lot of answers are being share about the society and how people should be,” she notes.
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The audience will be treated as jury members, Tahera highlights. A case manifesto will be handed to them when they walk into the venue.
“It’s going to be an immersive experience for all. The viewers will feel like they are part of the entire trial process,” she adds.
The theatre group is going big on the production. They have hired architect MC Tilakraj to design the set for the play. All costumes have been done according to the sensibilities of the 1930s. Besides, the play also features original music scores done by artists Tresa Mary Jose.
“A play on such a big scale doesn’t happen in the city that often and we wanted to give the audience that experience,” shares Tahera.
Talking about the multifunctional set design, she adds, “The story starts at town where we introduce the characters. The second half of the play takes place in a courtroom, which is the premise of the play. We end the play by going back to the town. The set constantly changes so we have made it a revolving set. It’s designed in a way that when you turn it, the entire room changes to a courtroom, and then the town.”
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The play features actors Ganesh A Shanker, Kenneth Gonsalves, Nishitha Sudershan, Prithvi Raj, M.S Chakki, Syed Saad, Devashish Singbal and Sonali Dutta.
As for where the play will be taken to next, Tahera says, “We want to travel with the show to other cities. I want this story to be staged as many times as possible. It’s very close to my heart.”
On 28 October, 2023, 3 pm and 7 pm at Chowdiah Memorial Hall.
Tickets available on Book My Show
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