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Mistaken
Annie Besant in India
by Rukhsana Ahmad
Directed by Chris Banfield
Presented by Vayu Naidu Company
In association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Cochrane Theatre
Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AP
Designed by Marsha Roddy
Lighting Designer Mark Dymock
Call +44 (0) 020 7269 1606 Tickets £8 - £16
www.vayunaiducompany.org.uk for N. London & tour dates
Tues – Sat 7.30pm; Sat Mats 2.00pm
Running time 2 hr 25 mins with intermission
Through June, 2007
Fighting the good fight
In the pantheon of great and crusading Englishwomen, Annie Besant, unsung in theatrical recognition until now, has been accorded her rightful place by Rukhsana Ahmad in her rich and absorbing play. This extraordinary woman’s fight for an independent India placed her at the heart of this immense drama, and saw her both loved and eventually rejected in the country’s drive to shed the 200 year old skin of British rule.
How pleasing it must be for a playwright to be able to sit down to dramatize scenes between her heroine and Mahatma Gandhi one minute, and Krishnamurti, Annie Besant’s adopted son the next. Ms Ahmad has not pulled her punches and gives these relationships full, if somewhat surprising, drama and conflict. Neither the labour pains of the emerging nation nor the growing pains of her son are spared Annie Besant.
In a charismatic performance, Rosalind Stockwell embodied both the fierce political animal and the ambitious, but tender and vulnerable mother fully. Her contagious early energy and relish for the cause, and her maternal belief in her son’s near divine powers, gave little clue as to what roads she would have to travel. Miss Stockwell achieved grace, beauty and power in her journey.
The Cochrane offers itself as a storytelling theatre, and Vayu Naidu’s linking of events as the storyteller in this piece, duly delivered an assured and reassuring presence. Her young alter ego, Ruby Sahota, as Sidra, disciple of Annie, was utterly truthful and appealing.
The opening chant gave me hope for a richer visual experience than was offered. In fact the plain beige set and simple staging left me wondering why director Chris Banfield’s obvious visual skills, most memorably shown in the final tableau, were not given more expression. But perhaps simplicity and austerity were felt to be more appropriate for the seriousness (and touring logistics) of the matters on hand. Some light relief might not have gone amiss, though.
In a very convincing company, Narinder Samra brought a visionary emotion to his portrayal of Krishnamurti, and there was plenty of Gandhi to be seen in Rohit Gokani’s magnetic portrayal. Ranjit Krishnamma weighed in strongly as Narayaniah.
Skilfully weaving personal and family stresses into the search for a wider truth, Rukhsana Ahmad treated us to a few signature thoughts from Gandhi, such as ‘masters and slaves do not become equals overnight.’ Small wonder he was recognised as father of the nation. There are few Gandhis, Mandelas, and Kings in this world. Annie Besant was not out of place in this company and it was a pleasure to meet her.
Highly Recommended
Saul Reichlin
London correspondent
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