Kolkata-based theatre group Kaahini to stage a political satire based on Macbeth

Amra Shobai Raja is a commercial potboiler with an underlying message
Kaahini's new production Amra Shobai Raja is about the shifting power dynamics in the present society
Kaahini's new production Amra Shobai Raja is about the shifting power dynamics in the present society

Kolkata-based youth theatre group Kaahini is back with their fifth production this month- Amra Shobai Raja- a modern-day interpretation of William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. But the script does not follow the bard’s text completely.

It is a transcreation, made to suit the present political scenario, where everybody is Macbeth, an ordinary man, thrown into disarray by his own unchecked ambitions. “We have tried to depict the story very realistically, where every man is Macbeth, who wants to topple the authority and reign supreme. And as we all know- power corrupts - no matter, in whose hands it goes. It becomes a cycle and that is why I have chosen to call it – Amra Shobai Raja,” says Arunava Dey.

<em>A scene from Kaahini's last play Hirawk Shawhor</em>
A scene from Kaahini's last play Hirawk Shawhor

Interestingly, the story is set in a backdrop where the bone of contention, besides power is the construction of a religious monument and how, that very fact becomes the cause of death, for both Duncan, the king and his successive leader, Macbeth.

“While I was preparing the script, besides reading Shakespeare’s text, I watched Akira Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool and was inspired to write a completely new interpretation of the play, one that suited our times,” he adds.

“I had two central or focal points to address- the first one was a political scenario which always opens a choice- not between good versus bad, but between bad versus worse. The second one was the role of women in society- and how significant their part is, in a situation where power dynamics are changing every second- and yet they go unnoticed,” informs the 21-year-old director who will be playing the lead.

<em>Arunava Dey is also a film actor and has acted in several web series</em>
Arunava Dey is also a film actor and has acted in several web series

In keeping with the context, the role of the first witch, who prophesies Macbeth’s ascent to power, is played by a prostitute called Mandira and Lady Macbeth is actually Duncan’s wife, who becomes Macbeth’s wife, after Duncan’s death and Macduff’s counterpart, after Macbeth’s death.

“I would call Amra Shobai Raja, a feminist play, as the story has been depicted from the witch’s perspective. There is also a difference in how I have portrayed Lady Macbeth and the triangle with her at the centre and Macbeth and Duncan, as two opposing polarities,” mentions Arunava, the Drama student of Rabindra Bharati University.

“Although the topic is very grim and serious, we are aiming at staging a commercial potboiler, so that people come to watch the play and enjoy it. There will be songs and dance sequences too; in fact, we have used Bollywood numbers to make the political satire relatable and entertaining at the same time, without losing the main thrust,” he adds.

<em>Arunava Dey in performance </em>
Arunava Dey in performance 

Abir Dutta plays Debu Thakur (Duncan), Arunava Dey plays Madhusudan Thakur (Macbeth), and Madhuri Acharjee plays Mou Thakur (Lady Macbeth). While the role of Maalik Dahri (Macduff) is essayed by Feroj Shah and Shilpashri Sengupta plays Mandira (the first witch). Anirban Chakraborty plays the role of Inspector Bodhishotyo Kundu (the second witch), and Abhirup Chowdhury plays a broker (the third witch).  

The lights have been coordinated by Bappa Sen, the sound operation has been carried out by Biswadip Biswas. Ruup Dey and Anirban Chakraborty have done the art direction, while the set design has been done by Arunava and Anirban. Kawtha Ebong Rupkawtha (2017), Ludo (2017-19), Pawre Konodin (2017) and Hirawk Shawhor (2018-present) are some of the other productions by Kaahini.

Amra Shobai Raja premieres at Gyan Manch on April 27 at 5 pm

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