Centered around the relationship between two siblings, In A Forest Dark And Deep is a play which is sure to uncover the layers in a relationship, with it’s refreshingly realistic and sharp take.
The play which is an adaptation of Neil LaBute’s work of the same name, is directed by Anna Thomas and focuses on the realistic and hard hitting aspects of the relationship between two siblings.
Anna, the co-founder of Jugaad productions, has previously directed a number of other short plays. She tells us why she chose In A Forest Dark And Deep.
“I think complex relationships make for good stories. When I read the screenplay, I loved it instantly because it contains a lot of truths about relationships, which are uncovered through the story. It’s very interesting,” she reveals.
“I think that in most families, when we go out, we tend to say nice things about each other in public. But when we talk to our family directly, that’s when things can get nasty and the truth comes out. That’s exactly what is happening on stage between the actors,” adds Anna about the play which displays the tension between a brother and sister when they are packing up their house for some new tenants.
The evening progresses with the duo taking jibes at each other and even making below the belt remarks which reveal their secrets and hidden personalities little by little. The most complex part though, according to Anna was to show the relationship in the right light.
“Both the characters are very deep. There is no black and white or right and wrong. Making both the characters seem grey, is turning out to be quite challenging as they need to hold the audience’s interest and attention throughout,” reveals the director.
The play aims at justifying everything both the characters do. “There is a lot of back and forth with layers that need to be unravelled. From love to distance and everything else in between. These two characters are very unlike the happy, flowery people. They are the ones you find in real life. Every person has an ugly, dark and deep side and this something that will resonate with audiences,” reveals Jimmy Xavier, who plays the role of the brother.
“In regular stories, we know who the bad guy is and which side we need to pick. But in this one, there is no good or bad because as the layers come off, we will see that each and every statement or action is completely justified,” adds the artiste.
“I think the audience is in for a night of pure entertainment and drama and also to be prepared to see parts of themselves on stage through the characters,” adds Jimmy in conclusion about what the audience should look out for in the play.
The play will be staged at Jagriti Theatre on October 7 and 8 at 8 pm and
October 9 at 3 and 6.30 pm.
