Still from ‘Everybody’ rehearsals | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
When death knocks, what do you hold on to? Jagriti Theatre’s latest production, everyoneDirected by Rebecca Spurgeon, it forces audiences to explore one of life’s ultimate questions.
Rebecca finds her inspiration not only in playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s daring script, but also in the enthusiasm of her cast – students from Awakening’s Theater Arts program. “The script was something we read in class,” she says. “A big part of the curriculum is exploring different types of texts and understanding performance through body, voice, and text.” What emerged from these explorations is a contemporary adaptation of the 15th century morality play, every manUpdated for today’s audience with sharp humor, modern language, and an inventive structure.
At its core, everyone Asks: When faced with mortality, how do we reconcile our attachments to relationships, possessions, and identity? The play takes its protagonist, Everybody, on a surreal journey with death, where abstract concepts like friendship and kinship are embodied. Because these characters reflect the realities of human behavior, they make the story uncomfortably relevant.
Still from ‘Everybody’ rehearsals | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“Jacobs-Jenkins’ script creates a contemporary context,” says Rebecca. “The characters are accessible; Their reactions and reasoning resemble those we see around us every day. The play breaks traditional structure and format, making it both challenging and exciting for the performers.
This structural fluidity demands extraordinary dexterity from the actors, who play multiple roles and make rapid changes. For Jagriti’s students, mastering the physical and vocal techniques necessary to embody these transformations has been both a challenge and a triumph.
Rebecca says humor is seamlessly woven into the script. She admits, “Although I would love to take credit for balancing humor and existential themes, it’s all in the writing.” She explains that the directorial focus was on creating a cohesive narrative for the audience amid the complex, layered design of the script. Was in the making. “In a play where actors change roles and the audience becomes part of the performance, clarity is important.”
Still from ‘Everybody’ rehearsals | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Rebecca’s approach to directing reflects an intuitive understanding of storytelling. “I rely heavily on visual design and lose myself in the world of the play,” she says. “What needs to be told becomes clear, and my role is simply to remove the redundancies. ” This philosophy ensures that the production remains true to the playwright’s intent while showcasing Rebecca’s distinctive creative vision.
subject of everyone are surprisingly universal. Therefore, he believes that it will also be liked by Bengaluru theater audiences. “When death calls, are the people and things we’ve invested in worth it?” she asks. “This is a question we all must face, regardless of time or place.”
With a mix of humor, absurdity and raw emotion, everyone Promises to challenge the audience while thoroughly entertaining them.
As Jagriti Theater continues to nurture talent, this is an opportunity for its students to push the boundaries; For the audience, it’s a chance to grapple with life’s biggest questions – perhaps with a smile.
everyone (90 minutes, in English) will be staged from 13 to 15 December at 7.30 pm at Jagriti Theatre.
published – December 11, 2024 02:58 PM IST
