Review by Ruthra Devy
Summary: "Leela Jhansi", is the latest English play by Big Nose Productions, written and directed by Fa Abdul. It went down at Komtar, Penang, from May 3rd to 5th, 2024.
Lucille Dass as Dadima and Chrisalynn Lim as Leela. IMAGE: Sherwynd Kessler.
Anticipation buzzed through the audience as the house announcement for "Leela Jhansi" echoed through the theatre hall. The mere mention of the theme, "child bride," ignited curiosity, promising a narrative that demanded attention. Amidst the backdrop of the pandemic's challenges as the show was planned to be staged in 2020, the prospect of delving into Leela Jhansi's journey held a promise of both intrigue and enlightenment, spanning a captivating 110 minutes.
From the opening scene, the stage unfolded to reveal the lead characters of the show, Leela, Palwanker (Leela’s Father), and Dadima (Leela’s Maternal Grandmother). Through their interactions, the audiences were immediately immersed in Leela's aspirations, distinct from the generational patterns of her mother and grandmother. Her yearning for a different life was palpable, articulated through her poignant inquiries about the societal disparities between men and women. The conversations, all innocent and deep, got us all intrigued at the start. But as things moved along at a snail's pace, I found myself zoning out, losing that initial excitement.
In reflecting on the performance, I found myself pondering several unanswered questions in the story of Leela Jhansi. Should child marriage be permissible? How does a child bride navigate such a union? And what about the drastic lifestyle shift from carefree childhood to marital responsibilities? Regrettably, the script fell short of addressing these inquiries adequately. Its constraints seemed to hinder the actors from fully embodying their characters, resulting in a somewhat superficial portrayal of the narrative. As for the direction, while commendable in its planning, it stumbled in execution. The pacing felt sluggish at times, leading to a loss of focus and moments of frustration. Additionally, there were instances where dialogue delivery seemed disjointed, leaving me questioning whether it was intentional or a result of forgotten lines. Addressing these issues could have significantly enhanced the impact of the play, allowing its themes to resonate more deeply with the audience.
Lucille Dass as Dadima, Sidhart Joe Dev as Palwankar and Suresh Ramskay as Damodaram. IMAGE: Sherwynd Kessler.
Kudos to the main cast for really owning their roles in "Leela Jhansi." Chrisalynn Lim nailed it as Leela, capturing that 15-year-old vibe perfectly. She brought out Leela's innocence with her cute gestures and expressions. Sidhart Joe Dev deserves a shoutout for his portrayal of Palwankar, Leela's dad. His voice, gestures, and expressions really gave depth to the character, and his pacing during dialogue was spot on. Lucille Dass did well as Dadi, the grandma, although her performance felt a bit slow and flat at times. She conveyed that loving, protective vibe, but could've dialled it up a notch after the opening scene. Monica Mohan killed it as Ram Rati, using her gestures and expressions to breathe life into the character. But why was her character just sitting? Some movement could've added more flavour. Ivan Gabriel as Manju stood out, using his voice, and pacing to elevate the character. Overall, these actors saved the play from being snoozefest.
But some questions linger, what did Billy Aure'lia Ooh's character Rajbala bring to the table? Was she necessary? Why is the 40-year-old Damodaram played by Suresh Ramskay glorified as if he is not complicit in this child marriage? While the audience was in awe of the love scenes between Damodaram and his child bride, I couldn’t help but cringe and question the morale of the play, raising doubts about the writer’s stance on child marriage. This is the moment I started questioning, whether "Leela Jhansi" truly opposes or condones child marriage. Given the script's portrayal and staging choices, I don’t see the child bride here struggling in this marriage. She has a loving husband and, freedom to live her life, she has a best friend that she hangs out with, and she even has the privilege to fall in love with a random young man, a child bride with a seemingly untroubled life.
Suresh Ramskay Damodaram and Chrisalynn Lim as Leela, IMAGE: Sherwynd Kessler.
Leela's character in "Leela Jhansi" undergoes a no-noticeable shift from being excited, ambitious, and strongly opposed to gender stereotypes to maintaining a more innocent and childlike demeanour after her forced child marriage. This lack of substantial character development post-marriage, where she continues with her daily chores is evident. Additionally, the exploration of her relationship with her "selfish" father, who arranges her marriage, remains largely unexplored, failing to delve into the complexities of their dynamic and leaving potential avenues for character growth untapped.
The inclusion of a rape scene in "Leela Jhansi" prompts serious reflection on its necessity and its connection to the overarching story. Without a doubt, such scenes demand a clear and compelling narrative justification, serving a significant purpose beyond mere shock value. It's essential to recognize that the depiction of sexual violence on stage can be deeply distressing, particularly without adequate trigger warnings. The absence of these warnings’ risks retraumatizing audience members who may have personal experiences with sexual assault, undermining the ethical responsibility of the production. Moreover, the aftermath of such a scene must be handled with utmost sensitivity, acknowledging the profound impact on the characters involved. If the scene fails to contribute meaningfully to character development or thematic exploration, its inclusion becomes questionable. Ultimately, did we really need this simulated rape scene in Leela Jhansi? My answer is a loud “No”.
The cast of ‘Leela Jhansi’ with the Director: From left to right: (Back row) Suresh Ramskay, Sidhart Joe Dev, Fa Abdul, Ivan Gabriel, Menan Mohan. (Front row) Lucille Dass, Monica Mohan, Chrisalynn Lim, Billy Aurelia Ooi, Sri Kugan.
In summary, while "Leela Jhansi" had the potential for greatness with its compelling story and talented cast, it ultimately fell short due to weak direction and a script that constrained its creative possibilities. The combination of these factors hindered the play from reaching its full potential, resulting in a missed opportunity to truly shine on the stage.
About the Writer:
Comments